Bhubaneswar: To become a vocal advocate of women’s rights, a native of Balasore underwent gender-reassignment surgery two years ago. Now, she is dedicating her time to working for a local NGO. She is also raising her voice against discrimination and aims to change society’s perception of women.
Rinki Barik (37), a resident of Namkana village, told TOI that working with orphaned children and the destitute brings her immense satisfaction.“Many people are changing their gender. In my case, I did not just want a body. I wanted the emotional bond that children have with their mothers. When I help the destitute in a female body, they bless me as their daughter,” she added.
Rinki was born as Ajay Barik. In 2022, with her family’s unconditional support, she underwent gender-reassignment surgery in Delhi, spending Rs 7 lakh. The procedure not only altered her physical appearance but also aligned it with her inner identity. Rinki explained her motivation for the transformation, saying, “I have always opposed the atrocities against women and girls. Issues like female foeticide and sexual assault have deeply affected me. I felt powerless to raise my voice against these injustices in a male body, so I decided to change my gender.”
Reflecting on her past, Rinki recalls her time working at a private company in Kolkata after completing her education. It was there that she first realised she possessed female hormones and felt a deep connection to her feminine side. Rinki eventually garnered the support of her family, who agreed to medical tests. These tests confirmed the presence of female hormones in her body.
Kanchan Barik, Rinki’s sister, said, “Like any other parent, ours were initially resistant to the idea of their son becoming a girl. However, they chose to support her decision. We are happy in her happiness. She is now her true self.”

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