Constable Lalit Salve who underwent a gender reassignment surgery a few months ago celebrated his first Raksha Bandhan as a man this year. According to a mid-day report, Lalit who spend 29 years tying rakhi on his two brothers’ wrists finally had one tied on his. This is the first real Raksha Bandhan for the Beed cop after his genital reconstruction surgery in May. A wistful Lalit told the daily that every year he would tie rakhis for his brothers with his sister. So when he saw his sister buy an extra rakhi for him this year, he was overwhelmed. His sister Anita Salve said, “I have no words to express my happiness. Now, I have three brothers to stand by me. This Raksha Bandhan will always be special for me.” Beed Police Constable Lalita Kumari Becomes Lalit Kumar After Sex Change Operation, Resumes Work.

Lalit was brought up as a woman all his life since his underdeveloped penis was mistaken for the female genitalia. He had always wanted to have a rakhi tied on his hand and yesterday, his sister Anita made his dreams come true. It was an emotional day for the two of them since he had waited three decades for this moment. “I always knew I was a man, but my sister never tired a rakhi to me. We would always tie rakhis to our two brothers together. So, today, when I saw that she brought three rakhis, I could not control my emotions,” he said.

The day was memorable not only for Lalit but also for Anita since she tied not two but three rakhis this year. Even she had been waiting for this moment just like Lalit had. “Now, I have to protect my sister and be her shield, which will be a new responsibility. Also, I won’t get Raksha Bandhan gifts anymore,” Lalit said.

Lalit, who was born Lalita, always knew that he was a man inside. He approached the Bombay High Court in 2017 for a month’s leave to undergo gender reassignment surgery. A panel of doctors who evaluated his case deemed him fit for the procedure. The operation was a success, and Lalit resumed work in June, reporting under district superintendent official G Sreedhar on his first day. Lalit also inspired another family from Beed whose 4-year-old son had an underdeveloped penis just like his. 

Dr Rajat Kapoor the plastic surgeon who handled Lalit’s case reconstructed and elongated his underdeveloped penis, which will help him urinate like a man. But he may require another surgery where the soft tissues from his inner cheeks will be grafted on his penis.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2018 12:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).