When we speak about courage, it’s often in the abstract. But every so often, someone’s journey puts a face to resilience, reminding us what it truly means to rise against the odds. One such inspiring story is that of Vijaya Vasave, who recently made history as Maharashtra’s first trans woman forest guard.
Vijaya, 30, hails from a tribal community in the Satpuda mountain range of Nandurbar district. Her path here has been anything but smooth. Born as Vijay, she grew up in a world where her effeminate nature became a target for constant ridicule. Fellow students and heartbreakingly, even teachers – mocked and abused her. The relentless bullying left deep scars, leading her to attempt suicide three times.
“I was trapped in a male body, yearning to be free,” Vijaya recalls of her early years. In her search for answers, she was even taken to a mantrik (spiritual healer) who claimed her struggles were the result of “black magic”. Pills prescribed by counsellors did little to help. But everything changed the day she attended a lecture on sexuality by LGBTQ+ activist Bindumadhav Khire. For the first time, she received scientific answers that helped her understand her identity. More importantly, it gave her the courage to explain it to her family, who eventually stood by her.
In 2019, Vijaya took the brave step of beginning her gender transition, a journey involving both hormonal and surgical treatment. By 2022, she felt truly free, finally living in a body that reflected who she always knew she was. “My family supported me emotionally and even helped me financially through the surgery,” she says. That support, something many trans individuals are denied, gave her the confidence to dream again.
Her career wasn’t initially on the cards. Years of struggle had worn down her confidence. But thanks to guidance from the Deepstambh Foundation in Jalgaon, Vijaya began preparing for competitive exams. She first tried for the police recruitment exam but didn’t succeed. Still, she persevered. In 2023, when an advertisement for forest guard posts appeared, she applied and cleared both the written and physical tests.
Today, she proudly serves as a forest guard in Akkalkuwa tehsil, Nandurbar, protecting the forests she grew up around. “I am happy now that I am treated with dignity and respect by my family, village, and at my workplace,” she says.
Vijaya holds a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from Pune’s Karve Institute of Social Service and has also worked with the National AIDS Research Institute. But beyond her academic and professional achievements, it’s her courage and resilience that stand tallest.
Her story is not just about personal triumph. It is also a call to recognise how critical acceptance and opportunity are for trans people. The shift in her life came when her family stood by her, when society offered her dignity, and when an institution gave her a fair shot.
Vijaya’s journey shows us that with perseverance, support, and belief in one’s truth, barriers can indeed be broken. She is not just Maharashtra’s first trans woman forest guard — she is a symbol of what it means to rise, despite the world trying to pull you down.