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A 57-year-old woman from Tamil Nadu, India disguised herself as a man for 30 years to raise her daughter alone.
Pechiyammal was 20 when she lost her husband to a heart attack, just 15 days after their wedding.
Later, she gave birth to a daughter and began working to support her, but faced constant harassment at work.
Pechiyammal, refusing to remarry, decided to disguise herself as a man and became Muthu.
She cut her hair and started dressing like a man. Over the past three decades, Pechiyammal has worked several jobs in places that usually only hire men.
“I worked in construction sites, restaurants and tea shops," Pechiyammal told The New Indian Express.
“I saved every penny to ensure a secure life for my daughter.
“After days, Muthu turned to be my identity, which in turn was mentioned on all my documents, including my Voter ID and bank account.”
“Keeping the safety of my daughter in mind, I decided to go through the trouble.
“Disguising as a man kept me safer at my workplace at a time when I was travelling more to earn my livelihood.
“To make my identity real, I always occupied a seat only on the men’s side in buses. I used men’s toilets.”
Pechiyammal is now content with the life she gave to her daughter.
“My daughter is married and I feel I have fulfilled all my desires.
“I wish to be remembered like this even after my death.
“I'll spend the rest of my life like a man if I get a pension from the government.”
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