I’m a woman who lives in Delhi, who uses public transport on a daily basis. Who, till 2008, commuted
between Delhi and Gurgaon for 5 years – at a time when public transport to and
from Gurgaon consisted mainly of Haryana Roadways buses that were usually so
crowded that one worried about falling out and the more frequent but very shady
call-centre vans driven illegally and rashly. There was no metro and regular
DTC buses were few and far between. So it was a choice between standing with
people pressing in on all sides (and me approximately at the height of their
armpits) and sitting in the world’s most terrifying contraption. In desperate
moments, I have stupidly taken these buses and vans as late as 11 pm, when I
should have just called my mother and braved her panicked yelling. I remember being huddled in my tiny amount of
space with my arms folded tightly across my chest, bag pulled up to my chin,
staring straight ahead, not making eye contact with anyone. I remember being
felt up, groped, "innocently" brushed past, stared at almost daily. I remember telling off the men in question, and their argument that it
was a crowded bus, not my private car, so I should not expect space. I remember
insincere apologies delivered with a leer. I do also remember many nice,
helpful people (women and men) who gave me their seat, who held my bag for me,
who argued for the women’s seats to actually be used by women. And today, I
think I have been lucky.
Once I moved out of Gurgaon, I swore never to take those buses or vans again, and I haven’t. But the fear has not gone away. I still hesitate to argue with an auto-rickshaw driver
who asks for more money at the end of my journey – because he has dropped me
home and knows where I live. I think twice before telling my office cab driver
to drive a bit more carefully – because I am the last person to be dropped back
on my route. Even when I do argue, as is my instinct, I later regret it and thank someone up there that nothing happened. I have
been lucky. But I am constantly afraid that my luck will run out. And that fear, that gnawing, ever-present fear, is what makes
India no country for women.
Technology will come to your aid soon enough. It's not that hard for your smart phone to always upload your location to some central server, and the the press of an 'alarm' button on your keychain (or even a ring) for it to let hundreds of 'registered' good samaritans in your area know about a 'damsel' in distress. A few will surely come by to help, and all will be good. At that point, the population density will be what makes India a country for women.
ReplyDelete/me goes off to work on described app
also, you're awesome and should just call me when you need a lift. i'll give you my number if you don't publish this, publish my previous comment and respond to it with Z as the first letter of your response.
ReplyDeleteThe India around us today, the happy place we grew up in, has become increasingly sickening. This Delhi rape passes belief. How anyone, however angry could do this to a young girl surpasses understanding. They talk about death penalty - which I think is a very easy way out for these rapists.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think will happen about this? Nothing so big maybe till the next rape, at which time we will also cry, wring our hands and maybe also do very little about it. Letters are being written all over the place, 2 guys are still absconding and the MP's haven't said much. It's a sick society sad to say.
Yes you are very lucky. And I hope that luck stays with you. As women we need as much luck and hope as we can get.