When 29-year-old Riya Sarkar presided as the election officer at a polling booth in South Kolkata on Saturday for the fifth phase of the assembly elections in the state, it added a new chapter in history. Sarkar became the first ever person from the transgender community to become an election presiding officer.

“It is a big honour not only for me but for the entire transgender community. I am very happy and proud on being given this task by the Election Commission,” Sarkar said.

She was asked by district Election officer Smita Pandey to take up the job as presiding officer.

“She said I had to do this for my community. She felt if more transwomen like me come forward, there will be more acceptance,” Sarkar said.

Sarkar, a history teacher in a boy's school also felt that such small steps are a symbol of the growing acceptance of the marginalised community, adding that her confidence is now sky high.

“All my life people have made fun of me; now I am confident enough to assert myself,”she said.