வில்லிசைக் கலைஞராகவும் – பல திருநங்கையர் வாழ்வுக்கு உறுதுணையாகவும் விளங்கும் கன்னியாகுமரி மாவட்டம் தோவாளையைச் சேர்ந்த திருமிகு. சந்தியா தேவி...

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin conferred the state government's annual Best Transgender Award upon noted folk artist and social worker Sandhya Devi from Thovalai in Kanyakumari district. The award recognizes Sandhya Devi's exemplary achievements as a dedicated Villupaatu folk music practitioner and her selfless community work supporting the livelihood, health, and dignity of transgender individuals.

Conferring the citation and prize at the Secretariat, Stalin praised Sandhya Devi for preserving traditional Tamil musical storytelling while actively advocating for the rights of gender minorities. Her leadership has helped numerous transgender people access government welfare boards, secure identity documentation, and establish sustainable self-employment ventures.

The Chief Minister highlighted that Tamil Nadu has been a national pioneer in institutionalizing transgender welfare policies, having established the country's first Transgender Welfare Board under M. Karunanidhi in 2008. The state continues to provide monthly financial assistance, free housing allotments, and educational reservations to empower the third gender community.

Stalin reiterated that ensuring social dignity, safety, and economic self-reliance for transgender persons is a fundamental priority of the Dravidian Model governance. He reaffirmed the state's commitment to eliminating societal stigma through progressive policies and social inclusion.