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Cherlapalli stall promotes inclusivity, local produce

South Central Railway allocates stall to transgender entrepreneurs under OSOP scheme to promote equality and local products

Hyderabad: Members of the transgender community have been allotted a stall in the ‘One Station One Product (OSOP)’ scheme at the newly-opened Cherlapalli railway terminal, in an initiative by South Central Railway (SCR) that aims to address two socio-economic concerns.

The Indian Railways' OSOP scheme promotes the concept of ‘vocal for local’. It uses railway stations as promotional hubs to showcase indigenously manufactured products.

As part of the scheme, the SCR gave a trolley stand to the transgender entrepreneurs at Cherlapalli. Jasmine, a beneficiary, said, “Having a stall at the Cherlapalli terminal is more than just selling products. It is an opportunity for us (transgenders) to be visible, interact with the public and show that we’re capable of much more than what people think. The stall and trolley are symbols of our progress towards equality and recognition."

The stall offers a range of hand-made products like jute bags, soaps and snacks.

"For a long time, the transgender community faced exclusion and lack of job opportunities. Today, we are able to come together and start our own ventures. We will be able to showcase our work. I run a snacks business, selling crispy treats that I make myself."

At the stall, two other entrepreneurs from the community, Tripura and Sahasra, sell jute bags that they make themselves. The fourth member of the stall is Kiran Raj, who makes the soaps.

"I am grateful to the Railways' officials, the state and central governments for this. We expect more initiatives in the future. This is just the beginning and we’re excited about what comes next. Every step forward reminds us of how far we’ve come and I’m looking forward to the future," Jasmine said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the new ₹413-crore Cherlapalli railway terminal on January 6 this year. Major features of the project include construction of four new high-level platforms, bringing the total to nine, along with the extension of existing platforms. It has five lifts and five escalators connecting all platforms, parcel booking facilities, six ticket booking counters, waiting halls, an upper-class waiting hall, an executive lounge, a cafeteria, a restaurant, and ladies' and gentlemen's capsules.

The OSOP scheme was announced in the Union Budget of 2022-23. Today there are 223 OSOP stalls being operated at 205 Railway stations across South Central Railway, including 77 stations in Telangana.


( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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