Archive · 13 Sep 2026
India’s first transgender rescue team gains recognition in Kolhapur
Kolhapur has created a rescue team made up of transgender women.
Fifteen volunteers have received training so far.
They learned how to swim to people in danger, use rescue boats and provide first aid.
They also practised CPR and other lifesaving skills.
Officials say the team has already begun helping people in emergencies.
The volunteers say the work helps them gain respect and a stronger place in society.
Some members still experience loneliness and discrimination.
Officials hope to train them for more emergencies and eventually give them paid home guard status.
Kolhapur authorities have trained 15 transwomen as disaster-response and rescue volunteers.
The volunteers learned rescue swimming, boat handling, lifesaving techniques, First Aid and CPR.
Training began in May, with the latest 10-day exercise held at Rajaram Lake in late August.
Members say the initiative offers recognition, confidence and a path toward greater social inclusion.
Officials plan to expand their duties and seek home guard status and an honorarium for the volunteers.
- Who
- The Kolhapur District Disaster Management Authority and 15 transwomen associated with the Maitri NGO.
- What
- A transgender disaster-management and rescue team was trained in water rescues, boating, lifesaving, First Aid and CPR.
- When
- The first training took place from May 26 to 28; the latest exercise lasted 10 days in the last week of August, with practice planned every three months.
- Where
- Kolhapur, Maharashtra, including training sessions at Rajaram Lake.
- Why
- To expand disaster-response capacity while creating recognition, employment opportunities and greater inclusion for transgender people.
Supporters of the initiative
Members highlighting continuing barriers
Inclusion and recognition
Supporters of the initiative
Officials and Maitri NGO founder Mayuri Alvekar say the team can improve inclusion, provide recognition and change public perceptions of transgender people.
Members highlighting continuing barriers
Team member Shivani Gajabar says the platform is welcome but transgender people remain alienated, and that a long way remains before the social gap is closed.
Impact on participants
Supporters of the initiative
Volunteers say the training has increased confidence, created opportunities to serve society and helped some regain family contact.
Members highlighting continuing barriers
Gajabar described ongoing exclusion, including being alone in class because other students do not sit beside her.
Future role and support
Supporters of the initiative
The administration plans to expand the volunteers’ duties and pursue home guard status with an honorarium.
Members highlighting continuing barriers
Until that status is granted, the volunteers work for free, leaving their future financial support unresolved.
- Team size
- Fifteen transwomen have been trained so far.
- First training batch
- Ten volunteers completed the inaugural module from May 26 to 28.
- Training location
- The latest 10-day exercise took place at Rajaram Lake.
- Skills taught
- Rescue swimming, inflatable rescue-boat operation, dry and wet lifesaving, motorboat handling, First Aid and CPR.
- Earlier volunteer training
- The Kolhapur District Disaster Management Authority has trained more than 2,500 volunteers over the past decade.
- Future plans
- Officials plan training for additional emergencies, festival crowd management and possible home guard status.
- Current compensation
- The volunteers currently work without pay.