We all have heard that opposites attract each other, That the North Pole attracts South Pole and Vice Versa. Similarly, people get pulled towards opposite sexes, Males are interested in female and females are also interested in males. These proverbs relating to opposite attraction was true but the change in the society has made in incomplete. As people initiated shifting their sex and desire to spend their life with alike sexed one. The male wishing to spend their life with another male may be termed as “Gay” and in case of female its “Swached Women”. In Nepal people have given common name for the both “Gay” and “Swached Women” as “Hizzadas”. Throughout this article I will be indicating this word for my lenience.
It was the year 2004, during our educational tour to India, I witnessed “Hizzadas” foremost. The tour named “All India Tour” comprising of 24 days circular passage of various cities of India including Chennai, Banglore, Maisore, Ooty, Mumbai, Shimla, Chandigarh, Goa, Delhi, etc. As we stepped into the Indian Territory through Gorakhpur and the initial destination being Chandigarh, we encountered “Hizzadas” in the trains in the absence of TT (Train Tutuior). The uninterrupted train crossing up to Chandigarh was about 44 hrs and we encountered a number of Hizzada’s groups. They were clad in sari with lipsticks, tika (Bindiya) on forehead, necklace, chura on hands, and so on.
Initially I considered them to be “Typical Indian lady” but I was shocked to hear masculine sound coming form these ladies, when they opened their mouth to start up a conversation with their typical gesture of clapping their hands, “Aai Hero chal chal dus dus rupaiya nikalo…” was what most of them said. They especially targeted strangers in the train and bugged them for money. Most of them asked for 10 Rupees. They did not bother the Indian passengers. I cannot fail to remember their earsplitting rhymed claps and dialogues like “Aap log bade bade ho gai hai… dus dus rupaiya de do…”. If one disagrees to provide them 10 Rs. then they would pull their sari up to their Center of Gravity (CG) and even then one persists to donate then they accustomed to catch ones CG residing on train. We were set free from “Hizzadas” once we reached Chennai… For two full days we were occupied with the task of donating 10 each to “Hizzadas” groups. In “Nepal” I?ve heard less about “Hizzadas”, thought it’s unusual to stumble on “Hizzadas” and above proverbs was factual as well in case of Nepal.
What if I say “Pokhara” is inhabited with a lot of “Hizzadas”… Once again an event in Pokhara made me recall those days spent with “Hizzadas” in India… Recently, “Hizzada Beauty Competition” was organized at “Pokhara”, astonishing event being conducted by an organization named “Naulo Bihani”. Contrary to Miss Nepal competition no objections were made during this contest It could also have been because the contest was conducted secretly. “Riya Gurung” was crowned as the winner of “Hizzada Beauty Competition” and “Bindiya Gautam” and “Shreeya Thapa” were awarded 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner Up respectively.
It has been clear that “Hizzadas” union termed as “Meritas” were found to behave like women there at Pokhara. Also, we can hit upon about 2,000 “Hizzadas” in “Pokhara” solely. After the achievement of “Jana Aandolan – II” “Hizzadas” have alertly been aggressive for their rights. It is stated clearly in “Aantarim Sambidhan” of Nepal, “No one will be discarded and will be treated badly in respect of sex”. Also, interesting is the fact that their sex is marked as neither male nor female while providing them citizenship. After encountering them several times I am of the belief that they have the freedom to reside their life as per their wish and must be given the rights to do so too. If that is done I am sure those Hizzadas I met on train in India would be able to find a dignified occupation and not be stuck with begging to survive.
– Luckysurya
