One step for Padma Lakshmi, a giant step for the trans community

Padma, who graduated from Ernakulam’s Government Law College after completing her BSc in physics, said she owed her success to her parents, who stood by her like a rock through it all.

“My father shed tears of joy when I wore the black robe on my first day at work. He told me, ‘Go with all your enthusiasm… hold your head high… no need to bow in front of anyone’,” recalled the overwhelmed young lawyer.

To a question on the difficulties she faced in her journey in becoming a lawyer, the ecstatic 20-something remarked, “It was not my fight. It was my parents’ fight. They gave me the confidence to choose my own path. If parents stand by their children like mine did, no one would dare pull down the child with negative comments… ”

By the time Padma joined the law college, she had started hormone therapy and other medical procedures. (Express Photo)

Thoroughly confused and facing physical issues during her adolescent years, Padma failed to make friends. She wasn’t comfortable in the company of boys either. With full support from her parents, she opted for hormone therapy. To pay for her therapy, she worked as an insurance agent and took home tuition.

She recalled the words of her father Mohana Kumar, a former contract employee with Cochin Shipyard, on her transition journey, “He said, ‘Come what may, she’s our child … We will protect her and support her. Only then will the others accept her’.”

Padma, who has two elder sisters — Aswathy Mohan, an accountant, and Archana Mohan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Malayalam at St Xavier’s College — says while the journey to becoming a trans woman was not easy, her academic success outshone everything in the end. She credits her mother Jaya Mohan’s employer, advocate Abdul Hakim, for encouraging her to prepare for the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).

“I prepared for the CLAT on the quiet premises of the Edappally church. I did not take any coaching,” confided Padma, adding that she got admission in the first allotment itself in 2019.

By the time Padma joined the law college, she had started hormone therapy and other medical procedures.

“My body was going through a lot of changes. I was constantly worried about what other students would think, etc. Finally, I decided to talk to my favourite teacher (Associate Professor Dr Mariamma A K of Ernakulam Law College). After listening to my concern, she said, ‘Why should you worry? Why should you bother about the others? Go on with courage. You are armed with the book of equality, written by none other than Dr B R Ambedkar’. Her words were extremely positive. I received similar encouragement from the other teachers as well,” Padma reminisced.

“I’ll be fortunate if a senior realises my potential and gives me an opportunity to work for the society,” says Padma.

Padma, who feels humbled by all the love and support she has received in her journey thus far, expressed gratitude for all her well-wishers on her first day as a lawyer.

Among those who congratulated her are Kerala Minister for Industries and Law P Rajeev, and Kerala Minister for Higher Education and Social Justice R Bindu.

Sharing a picture of Padma on his Instagram handle, Rajeev wrote, “Becoming the first is always a hard achievement in history. There are no predecessors… Obstacles will be many. There will be people to silence and discourage. Padma Lakshmi has written her name in the legal history by overcoming all these hurdles.”

Bindu tweeted, “It is a matter of immense pride that Padma Lakshmi’s name will now be etched into the history of Kerala… No doubt she has faced obstacles galore in this journey. But she persevered, never letting any naysayer deter or weigh her down… Padma Lakshmi is now a beacon of hope and resilience for Kerala…”