This Kerala transman pilot gets state govt backing to fly

Thiruvananthapuram: He had confusions about his gender since childhood but never ever about his dream career - to become a pilot and fly aeroplanes criss-crossing the vast skies.

He was beaten by his orthodox parents, confined to the four walls of his home and dragged to counselling centres for saying he was a man trapped in the body of a woman.

Finally, he had to run away from home to escape endless torture.

But, the determination to chase his dream has helped this Keralite, Adam Harry to fight all torture and harassment over his gender and become the first transman pilot of the country to get private pilot licence, two years ago.

Now, at the age of 20, his dream of becoming a commercial pilot is set to be a reality as the Kerala government has sanctioned over Rs 23 lakh to help him pursue his further studies at a reputed institution here.

Harry is all gratitude towards the state Social Justice Department and its secretary Biju Prabhakar for understanding his struggles and helping him in realising his dream.

"I am really grateful to the government for the helping hand. Otherwise my dream will never have become a reality. Fund of Rs 23.37 lakh was sanctioned.

I am planning to join the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology for three-year studies and training to get a pilot licence," Harry said.