We all know Gauri Sawant's story, thanks to the viral Vicks commercial released as a part of their #TouchOfCare campaign in March this year. But she has been a prominent voice in transgender activism for much longer. She was the petitioner of the National Legal Services Authority judgement in 2013 but even three years later, they are still fighting for their basic civil rights. "So it's good that TEDxHyderabad is giving me a platform to voice my concerns."

Her life since she adopted Gayathri has definitely changed. "We transgenders are very open, we openly abuse and have no reservations. But now I have to think three ways before speaking — as Gauri Sawant, as a transgender activist and as a mother," she tells us, adding that "being a mother is a behaviour and is beyond the lines of gender." And though she is a role model for several people, she doesn't know if this is true for her daughter too. "I just hope she grows up to be an open-minded and good human being," she says.

Gauri Sawant will be speaking at TEDxHyderabad on September 24 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium