On may 1st, in Villupuram(Tamil nadu) the annual Koovagam festival was held by TAI (Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative). It was Padmini, aged 27, who was crowned as "Rani Aravani".
Padmini has done her graduation in commerce at PSG College, Coimbatore. She makes her living by teaching dance. Many transgenders like Padmini participated in the event. The surprise guest for this festival was from Kentucky USA, Ms Diepiriye s kuku siemons, an African American. She said "we are not ordained to be perfect but we are beautiful in our imperfections."
In this festival Miss Koovagam contest, was conducted by the Rotary club. Ms Rasiga, from Salem won the contest. Jyotika and Ramya were the runners-up.
This image appeared in the daily newspaper Deccan Chronicle.
