Topic: Social empowerment
1. The launching of SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is just a first step in the long journey of ending historical marginalization of transgender community. Comment. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu
Why the question:
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has formulated a scheme “SMILE – Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise”, which includes subscheme – ‘Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of persons engaged in the act of Begging’
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the measures needed to mainstream transgender community in India.
Directive word:
Comment– here we must express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by giving statistic about amount of transgenders in India.
Body:
First, mention the issues faced by the transgender community – marginalization, forced sex work, stigma, begging, lack of rights, lack of rehabilitation etc.
Next, write about SMILE – Scheme for marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and enterprise. Mention its features, its pros and cons.
Next, mention as to why just few schemes are not enough and needs a much more holistic and concerted action to overcome historic marginalization.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
