In the heart of Flipkart's bustling Farrukhnagar hub, amidst the constant buzz of activity, two remarkable individuals stand out, not just for their titles or achievements, but for the love that binds them together. This is Punnu and Madhubala’s journey. Read.
Meet Madhubala Shukla and Punnu Choudhary, a couple whose journey embodies the essence of Pride month – a celebration of love, resilience, and the courage to live authentically. Their story is not just about overcoming societal barriers, but about embracing who they are and finding solace and strength in each other’s arms.
Finding Oneself – Punnu’s journey
My name is Punnu Choudhary, and I hail from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Growing up, I never quite felt like I fit into the mold society expected of me. I was born a girl, but inside, I always identified as a boy. It took time for me to come to terms with this truth, to understand who I really was, especially in a world where conformity is often valued above all else.
After completing my B.A. in Hindi, I found myself working for the first time in Gujarat, in a private limited company. It was a new experience, navigating the corporate world while grappling with my own identity. But it wasn’t until I met Madhubala in 2019 that everything started to change.
Madhubala and I instantly became close friends. As our friendship flourished, it naturally transitioned into a deep love. Throughout it all, we’ve been each other’s pillars of support. Madhu, in particular, has been my rock, standing by me tirelessly as I struggled through my challenges.
We decided to apply for work in Chennai and soon shifted. Here, I came across a transman, an HR at the company. He introduced us to the concept of gender-affirming surgery. I had known since childhood that I wanted to transition, to become the person I always knew I was inside. With Madhu’s unwavering support, I took the courageous step towards undergoing the surgery in 2021.
The road to transformation wasn’t easy. There were physical pains, emotional hurdles, and the daunting task of gaining acceptance from my family. Initially, my mother struggled to understand and accept my decision. She feared for my future and believed I was making a mistake. But with time, as she witnessed my unwavering determination and saw the positive changes in my life, she began to come around, albeit slowly.
My elder brother still finds it difficult to accept me, but my sister stood by me from the beginning. Her support was a constant source of strength, especially during the challenging moments. As for Madhu, she became my rock, my confidante, and eventually, my partner in life. We married in 2021, a decision born out of love and necessity, as Madhu faced familial pressures of her own.
In 2023, we decided to apply at Flipkart’s fulfillment center in Haryana. We both started working as Data Entry Operators. We found solace and acceptance at Flipkart that was missing from other places. Here, we were not just tolerated but embraced for who we are. I really like working here. And while the journey hasn’t been without its challenges, I am grateful for the opportunity to live authentically.
Looking towards the future, I dream of opening my own restaurant, a place where I can share my passion for food and hospitality with others. It’s a dream that was once unimaginable but now feels within reach, thanks to the love and support of those who have stood by me every step of the way.
Embracing Change – Madhubala’s journey
I am Madhubala Shukla and I am from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. I finished my graduate studies in Hindi. After college, I found a job at a company in Gujarat. This is where I met Punnu. At the time, we were staying together in a hostel. As we got to know each other, we realized that we wanted to be together.
During this time, family and society objected to two women being together. However, we decided to move forward regardless of the challenges. We shifted to Chennai and met some incredible people here who belonged to the LGBTQIA+ community. I started to learn more about the people from the community. Until then I really didn’t know much about it as I hail from a small town. This helped me support Punnu in his journey of transition as well.
Both Punnu and I made many friends. Connecting with others like us brought a sense of relief we hadn’t known before.
I have worked in multiple states by now, and one thing that I truly like is meeting new people and trying to learn about them. It helps me expand my understanding of the world and live a more expansive life. Even as an introvert, these interactions have helped me grow and embrace new aspects of life.
When I am not engrossed in my work or meeting and learning about people, I spend my time singing. I also create Instagram reels. Punnu helps me manage my account.
We joined Flipkart last year as Data Entry Operators. When we joined, there were others from the LGBTQIA+ community who were working here. All of us became really good friends. It finally felt great to truly belong.
