How a Mangaluru Trans Woman Went From Begging on the Streets To Owning Autos & Becoming a Gym Trainer

From being called Ajibabu to now Ani Mangaluru – Here is the story of a transgender person, who was discriminated against and denied basic rights. 

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Born in a poverty-stricken family in Hiredinni camp in Maski, Raichur, along with four other siblings, Ajibabu always felt feminine. She was determined to study and secured a seat on merit for a Bachelor’s in Education in Mangaluru. 

Despite deciding to chase her dreams, the transition to the new city wasn’t smooth. “People mocked me for my mannerisms and even bullied me,” she shared with The Times of India. Unable to cope with the new environment, Ajibabu dropped out of college and moved to Bengaluru to join the transgender community there. 

Assuming a gender change surgery might help her, she underwent the procedure in 2021 and was recognised as Ani Mangaluru. However, her challenges did not end here. Survival was a task. Ani was not given an accommodation for rent in the city; she had to beg to make money, and she recalled to TOI, “One day after begging, I tried to board an autorickshaw but none gave me a ride.”

The turning point in her life

That evening was a nightmare for Ani. She decided that she should do something to ensure, her community people, transgender elderly people, and pregnant women were respected and given help. 

The first step to bringing about this change was with the help of her mother, who lent some money to her. She purchased an autorickshaw with that money, and later she bought three of them. Today, she is the owner of four autorickshaws that serve her community. She earns a daily fee of Rs 200 from the auto drivers, too, which she uses to support poor families and stray animals. 

Being a passionate actor, she also acted in the Kannada film Shivaleela and is a line producer too. She opined that acting opportunities for us are also rare, as we are trans people. 

Currently working as a gym trainer, Ani shared that she was always passionate about fitness and now teaches others the same. She aims to build an ashram for the elderly trans persons. 

Edited by Saumya Singh

Sources

‘I walked home crying that night’: Mocked and denied rides, Mangaluru transwoman buys autos, offers free rides to elderly and pregnant; works as gym trainer by day: by Deepthi Sanjiv for The Times Of India, Published on 27 June 2025