Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Petrol Diesel Prices
Char Dham Yatra
Gyanvapi Mosque
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / India News / Kerala's first transwoman journalist makes debut with Chandrayaan-2 report
India

Kerala's first transwoman journalist makes debut with Chandrayaan-2 report

Kerala's first transwoman journalist makes debut with Chandrayaan-2 report
Written by Siddhant Pandey
Sep 03, 2019, 01:26 pm 3 min read
Kerala's first transwoman journalist makes debut with Chandrayaan-2 report

As the Vikram lander separated from the Chandrayaan-2 orbiter on Monday, a 22-year-old journalist from Kerala, Heidi Saadiya, delivered a live report on the moon mission, making history as she did. That's because, Saadiya is the first transgender woman journalist in the state. She had joined Malayalam news channel Kairali News TV on August 31, and the Chandrayaan report was her very first assignment.

Education
Saadiya was a student of Trivandrum Institute of Journalism

Earlier this year, Saadiya completed a post-graduation course in electronic media from Trivandrum Institute of Journalism. She told India Today that despite being qualified for the job, many channels rejected her applications for an internship "without citing any particular reason." After several rejections, she eventually joined Kairali TV as an intern, and was later offered the position of a news trainee.

Quote
'My colleagues and seniors on the desk encouraged me'

Speaking about the assignment, Saadiya told India Today, "In the morning when news about Chandrayaan came in, our desk chief asked me to get ready for a live report." She added, "Initially, I was surprised and a little nervous too. But then my colleagues and seniors on the desk encouraged me." She brushed up on the ISRO mission, and completed the task successfully.

Quote
Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja praised Saadiya on Facebook

Notably, Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja congratulated Saadiya in a Facebook post saying, "Chavakkad native Saadiya has made a successful move at a moment when Chandrayaan-2 lander, Vikram, successfully separated from the orbiter. She's the first transgender broadcast journalist from Kerala."

History
Parents refused to accept her; Saadiya left home at 18

However, even as Saadiya makes headway in the career that her mother wanted for her, she can't help but think about her parents. Assigned male at birth, Saadiya hails from Chettuva, Thrissur. At age 10, she realized she was different, and came out to her parents years later who refused to accept her. She left home at age 18.

Harassment
She initially pursued MBBS, but quit due to transphobia

After completing school, Saadiya pursued MBBS from a private medical college in Mangaluru. However, she left the course mid-way after facing transphobia. She then completed a BA English Literature course from IGNOU, while doing part-time jobs in Bengaluru to get by. In 2018, she finished 18th in a common entrance test for a PG diploma program by the Trivandrum Press Club, and studied journalism.

Being trans
"Boys in school would press my breasts and run away"

Saadiya recalled that she had gynecomastia (swelling of the breast tissue in boys/men due to hormonal imbalance) and "minor features of a girl." "During lunch breaks, the boys in my school would press my breasts and run away," she said, while sadly recalling, "I could not open up about this to my friends or family." In 2016, she underwent gender confirmation surgery.

Quote
Saadiya hopes for more "inclusive workspaces" for LGBTQ in future

"I hope the LGBTQ community gets more such inclusive workspaces in future," said Saadiya, who feels the newsroom is her "second home" now, News18 reported. She also does not hold a grudge against her parents, and hopes that they could see where she is today.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Siddhant Pandey
Siddhant Pandey
Twitter
Siddhant Pandey covers national and health news at NewsBytes. He has over five years of experience working as a multimedia journalist covering hard news in New Delhi. He was previously employed with The Indian Express and News World India and has juggled roles as a correspondent, copy editor, and video producer. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida.
Latest
Kerala
India Today
KK Shailaja
Thrissur
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Latest
Redmi Note 11SE debuts with MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC
Redmi Note 11SE debuts with MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC Technology
Top 5 biographical movies that Hollywood has churned out
Top 5 biographical movies that Hollywood has churned out Entertainment
AS Roma win UEFA Europa Conference League title: Records broken
AS Roma win UEFA Europa Conference League title: Records broken Sports
2023 Honda CR-V previewed with hybrid badge ahead of debut
2023 Honda CR-V previewed with hybrid badge ahead of debut Auto
Five most tone-deaf things said by Hollywood celebrities
Five most tone-deaf things said by Hollywood celebrities Entertainment
Kerala
Your guide to traveling to Munnar
Your guide to traveling to Munnar Lifestyle
Kerala HC to hear Vijay Babu's anticipatory bail plea today
Kerala HC to hear Vijay Babu's anticipatory bail plea today Entertainment
Your guide to traveling to Varkala, Kerala
Your guide to traveling to Varkala, Kerala Lifestyle
Assam flood situation deteriorates; heavy rain alert in Kerala districts
Assam flood situation deteriorates; heavy rain alert in Kerala districts India
Southwest monsoon arrives in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: IMD
Southwest monsoon arrives in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: IMD India
More News
India Today
Jharkhand: Cable car collision leaves one dead, several injured
Jharkhand: Cable car collision leaves one dead, several injured India
TV Today network sues Newslaundry for defamation seeking Rs. 2cr
TV Today network sues Newslaundry for defamation seeking Rs. 2cr India
Cops explore CCTV footage after Andhra couple 'sacrifices' two daughters
Cops explore CCTV footage after Andhra couple 'sacrifices' two daughters India
Delhi: Farmers change march route; tractors enter Red Fort
Delhi: Farmers change march route; tractors enter Red Fort India
Indo-China clash reported in Sikkim, both sides suffer injuries
Indo-China clash reported in Sikkim, both sides suffer injuries India
More News
KK Shailaja
Kerala: Nursing officer admits coronavirus patient died of negligence, suspended
Kerala: Nursing officer admits coronavirus patient died of negligence, suspended India
Kerala: Massive landslide kills five, at least 80 feared trapped
Kerala: Massive landslide kills five, at least 80 feared trapped India
Coronavirus: How Kerala is 'flattening the curve'
Coronavirus: How Kerala is 'flattening the curve' India
Kerala: Elderly couple, aged 93 and 88, recovers from coronavirus
Kerala: Elderly couple, aged 93 and 88, recovers from coronavirus India
Coronavirus: Kerala in shutdown mode, health-emergency declared in four districts
Coronavirus: Kerala in shutdown mode, health-emergency declared in four districts India
More News
Thrissur
Two killed, fifteen injured during Thrissur Pooram festival procession
Two killed, fifteen injured during Thrissur Pooram festival procession India
Pregnant elephant fed firecrackers in fruit, dies; Maneka Gandhi fumes
Pregnant elephant fed firecrackers in fruit, dies; Maneka Gandhi fumes India
Kerala girl goes to school on a horse: Here's why
Kerala girl goes to school on a horse: Here's why India
Ambulance driver booked for leaving patient upside-down on inclined stretcher
Ambulance driver booked for leaving patient upside-down on inclined stretcher India
More News
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Ladakh: Mobile internet services restored in Kargil after 145 days
Ladakh: Mobile internet services restored in Kargil after 145 days India
All you need to know about Distance MBA in India
All you need to know about Distance MBA in India Career
#CareerBytes: How to get free UPSC study material online?
#CareerBytes: How to get free UPSC study material online? India
#CareerBytes: How to get free UPSC study material online?
#CareerBytes: How to get free UPSC study material online? India
#CareerBytes: How to get free UPSC study material online?
#CareerBytes: How to get free UPSC study material online? India
More News
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love India news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

India Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022