Transgender Shweta, the first transgender since the creation of Jharkhand to be made a state icon by the Election Commission, is braving sizzling heat to create awareness among electorates to cast vote in the Dhanbad Lok Sabha seat.

“We have made her a state icon to create voter’s awareness as part of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program of the commission. She has been enthusiastically carrying out rallies and reaching out door-to-door to create awareness among voters,” said Jharkhand chief electoral officer K. Ravikumar.

Shweta, an intermediate in commerce, told The Telegraph that through public support she has arranged rallies in different Assembly constituencies of Dhanbad.

“I have already held rallies in Jharia and would host similar rallies in other Assembly seats falling under the Dhanbad Lok Sabha seat to increase voter’s awareness. Through funds donated by well-wishers and sympathisers I also provide caps, and water pouches to those taking part in the rally due to the scorching heat,” said Shweta, who is also the state general secretary of the national body of transgenders. “People also give assurance of taking out time to cast their votes when I reach out to them in door-to-door campaign,” added Shweta.