“I knew as a child that I am a woman. I knew that the identity in my head doesn’t match with what I wanted to be. And as a child, I knew that I would fulfill this dream.”  

Nyra D’ Souza’s confidence in who she is belies her lifelong struggle for acceptance; especially with her family. “My family worked in a traditional structure, and it was difficult for them to accept me. We were staunch orthodox believers. For me, this phase of my life was one where I was highly spiritual,” says Nyra.  

But her faith was strained by a personal realization of her trans identity and her transition. “I was at a sermon when I was told that homosexuals are sinners. And this was at a time when the Pope had said that being one was not a crime! I happened to turn away then and said. ‘I am not going to go to church now.’” 

At Godrej, she felt accepted from the start. “When I walked into the reception, nobody stared at me. No one was uncomfortable with me, and the interview process went without a hitch – it was just so smooth.” 

Nyra has over fifteen years of experience today. At Godrej Living, where she currently works, she is now working to ensure that others feel seen, feel comfortable, and have their dreams fulfilled.