Thripthi Shetty
| Name: | Thripthi Shetty |
| Born: | November 2, 1986 |
| Roots: | Manjeshwar, Kasaragod, Kerala |
| Business : |
Thripthi Handicrafts, Thripthi Aquatics |
| Achievement: | Mudra loan, Artisan ID, CMFRI award |
- Post-transition, she fully embraced her identity as Thripthi Shetty, setting the stage for a powerful personal and professional transformation.
Breaking Barriers & Employment Milestones
- Became the first openly transgender person employed in Kerala—helping open the door for workplace inclusivity .
Joined the Kudumbashree Mission’s special NHG (neighborhood group) in Kochi East, a stepping stone for her handcrafted jewellery business. Her persistence with local banks led to a ₹100,000 loan from SBI to launch her business lsgkerala.gov.in.
Handicraft to Entrepreneurship
- Under guidance from Dr. Annie, Thripthi took up jewellery-making using stones, black metal, silk thread, and upcycled liquor bottles icsf.net+9thripthi.in+9lsgkerala.gov.in+9.
- Officially founded Thripthi Handicrafts, starting with a Kochi exhibition at Marine Drive that drew long queues and sold out her pieces thripthi.in+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1.
- Her business stood out for cultural authenticity and environmental creativity by turning waste into wearable art.
Digital Innovation & Financial Breakthrough
- In January 2018, became the first transgender artisan registered with the Handicrafts Development Corporation of Kerala and received an Artisan ID from the Ministry of Textiles timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2newindianexpress.com+2timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2.
- Also became the first transgender applicant for a Mudra loan, using the funds to scale her venture timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2thripthi.in+2newindianexpress.com+2.
- In May 2019, she launched the “Thripthi Handicrafts” mobile app (Android), enabling artisans—especially transgender and financially disadvantaged—to sell handcrafted products directly eprints.cmfri.org.in+6newindianexpress.com+6timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6.
- The app offered ₹10 from each purchase toward transgender welfare, featuring jewellery, sarees, DIY kits, and more.
Ventures in Fisheries & Recognition
- Expanded into ornamental fish breeding with Thripthi Aquatics, supported by the CMFRI’s Science Technology Innovation Hub newindianexpress.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1eprints.cmfri.org.in+6thehindu.com+6timesofindia.indiatimes.com+6.
- Despite COVID-19 setbacks, her ornamental fish venture regained stability and was recognized by CMFRI, underlining her entrepreneurial diversity timesofindia.indiatimes.com+2thehindu.com+2icsf.net+2.
- On International Women’s Day 2023, CMFRI honored her perseverance and success in fisheries eprints.cmfri.org.in+4thehindu.com+4eprints.cmfri.org.in+4.
Activism, Partnership & Legacy
- Married Hrithik M, a trans man and journalist/fish breeder, creating Kerala’s first transgender entrepreneur couple.
- They both pledged their bodies for medical research, prompting institutions to recognize transgender donors—a pioneering move for medical inclusivity.
- Actively advocates for transgender access to voter ID cards, government schemes, and opportunities. Emphasizes that although ~25,000 people in Kerala identify as transgender, many remain statistically invisible .
- Uses public engagements, media interviews, and her digital platforms to press for policy reforms and tangible societal inclusion.
Vision Ahead
- Dreams of opening a flagship handicraft emporium in a tourist hub, focusing on transgender artisanship and empowerment.
- Seeks government backing, subsidized retail space, and marketing support to build an inclusive community enterprise.
- Mobilizes her platform to pronounce that supporting one transgender success can pave the way for thousands more.
Profile at a Glance
| Attribute | Details |
| 🎂 Date of Birth | November 2, 1986 |
| 📍 Roots | Manjeshwar, Kasaragod, Kerala |
| 🏠 Based in | Kochi (Aluva/Kochi East) |
| 👩💼 Business | Thripthi Handicrafts, Thripthi Aquatics |
| 📱 Digital Platforms | Mobile app, website (thripthi.in) |
| 💵 Achievements | Mudra loan, Artisan ID, CMFRI award |
| 💑 Personal Life | Married to Hrithik M |
| 🎯 Mission | Empower trans community via craft, finance & activism |
Final Thoughts
From survival and secrecy to empowerment and enterprise, Thripthi Shetty’s story is a blueprint for how authenticity, grit, and creativity can dismantle long-standing barriers. She is not only a business leader but a social architect—building pathways for countless others to thrive.
Visit www.thripthi.in
