Yesterday, March 22, 2010 I read news in The Hindustan Times, English daily that eunuch would soon get pension. It had been passed in the house of Municipal Corporation of Delhi. A member of the house put a proposal during the meeting of the house. I have forgotten the name of the member. She said that eunuchs earn their livelihood by dancing and singing on the streets. But as they get old, they come in trouble because it is now difficult to earn their livelihood by dancing and singing. There are about three and a half lakhs of eunuchs living in Delhi as reported in the news paper. It was not clear in the news whether this pension would be given to all the eunuchs who live in Delhi or those who are senior citizens. MCD is also planning to hire their services for collecting the house tax. It is also not clear whether they will be kept as permanent employees or just on the commission basis.
The idea is not new to us. In the history, it is found that they were kept in the harem of kings. In Mahabharta, Arjuna disguised as eunuch and taught a princess dancing. Even during the war of Mahabharta, a eunuch named Shikhandi played a prominent part along with Arjuna. So MCD can hire their services. But before that MCD has to study the matter sincerely in the present scenario. Otherwise MCD may come in trouble and can be ridiculed. The quality of their work and their sincerity towards MCD should also be assessed thoroughly.