From Sameer bhai to Sameera madam: Odisha transwoman’s journey of courage and identity

Every individual carries a unique life story, but some journeys stand out for their extraordinary courage and transformation-stories not everyone can live or even imagine. One such inspiring journey is that of a transwoman from Odisha whose life reflects resilience, self-belief, and triumph over adversity.

From Khalikote in Odisha’s Ganjam district comes the remarkable story of Sameera Nayak. Born male, she discovered her feminine identity at a very young age. While the world saw a boy growing up, an inner truth was quietly taking shape within her. By youth, that truth found expression, and she embraced her identity as a woman.

Today, Sameera’s grace, talent, and confidence command admiration. With a paintbrush in her hand and creativity in her mind, she gives life to new ideas, arranging dreams as beautifully as colours on a canvas. Her journey is a reminder that while life begins through one’s parents, shaping it lies firmly in one’s own hands.

Sameera Nayak is currently a Guest Instructor in the Indian Painting Department at the Government College of Art and Crafts, Khalikote. The slender young woman teaching there today has built her life on her own terms, bringing about a transformation that once seemed impossible.

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Born as Sameer Nayak into a lower-middle-class family in a small village of Khalikote, she grew up grappling with a deep sense of femininity. Fear of hurting her parents and concern over societal judgment led her to suppress her identity for years, trying to conform to expectations of masculinity. Despite this inner conflict, she continued her education with determination.

After completing her studies, Sameera found the courage to speak openly with her family. With time and understanding, she underwent gender reassignment surgery and necessary medical procedures to align her body with her true identity.

"Though I was born as a boy, I always felt like a girl from within. As time passed, this inner conflict grew and caused me deep discomfort. Eventually, I realised that I needed to embrace my true identity. However, I did not take this decision hastily. I gave myself time, as I was concerned about my parents and how they might feel," said Sameera Nayak.

Now at 27 years of age, Sameera says life feels freer and more fulfilling. During her student days at the same institution, she was addressed as 'Sameer bhai'. Today, she is respectfully called 'Sameera madam'-a powerful symbol of change, acceptance, and personal victory.

"Those who are now part of my staff were once my teachers. I never faced any difficulty, as they accepted me wholeheartedly," said Sameera Nayak.

"Sameer bhai was a student in this college, and now he is doing a lectureship here. We call her 'Madam'. She is very coperative and she has great art skills," said Sandhyarani Nahak, a student of Government College of Art and Crafts, Khalikote.

"She is very much interested in art. I bless her to develop in the skills," said Bipin Chandra Sethy, a lecturer of Government College of Art and Crafts, Khalikote.

Having faced social stigma, taunts, and rigid boundaries, Sameera emerged stronger, redefining her life with confidence and purpose. Her journey from Sameer bhai to Sameera madam is not just a story of medical science or destiny; it reflects a changing society and an evolving mindset, carrying a strong message of courage, identity, and hope.