For Pune-based Dr Manish Jain, it was a proud moment when the transgender artist collective Rainbow Dance Troupe from West Bengal’s Kolkata received the Golden Buzzer on India's Got Talent Season 11. Comprising 15 transgender performers, the Rainbow Troupe’s act was themed around Hindu goddesses and their celestial triumphs over evil. Their performance centred on the portrayal of Durga, Kali, Narasimhi, and Vinayaki, celebrating the divine feminine as a force of creation, strength, and compassion that transcends gender. Jain’s Kineer Services Private Limited took care of the travel, training, costumes, make-up, and accommodation needs of these artists. “These transgender artistes have faced their share of hardships and exploitation, but their journey of resilience and transformation has been truly remarkable. Their performance, themed around Hindu goddesses and the triumph of the feminine spirit, was a landmark moment for inclusion and representation on a national stage,” the social entrepreneur told The Indian Express. One of the transgender artists said on the condition of anonymity that when they “performed as the goddesses, we weren’t acting”. “We were invoking the power we’ve carried within us all our lives. For the first time, the world saw us not as different, but as divine,” said the artist. Jain set up Kineer Services with the belief that the transgender community deserves dignity through livelihood, not sympathy through charity. Having spent over a decade working closely with the community, he said his mission is to create a world where inclusion is the norm, not an exception. Kineer’s initiatives span across India — transforming lives through purposeful employment and platforms that spotlight authentic talent. Jain said Kineer has trained and placed over 1,200 transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals through its flagship Trans-formation Program, while continuing to advocate for equality, skill development, and representation. “We believe in creating inclusive opportunities for the transgender community. Behind the glittering moment, there are stories of resilience. The troupe was drawn from marginalised corners of Kolkata, who have faced immense financial and social barriers in reaching the national stage. Their journey was a challenging one, from struggling for daily sustenance to performing under the nation’s spotlight,” Jain added. “For this collective effort, Pune's Nyati builders also helped us,” he said.
