Stay Safe Girls!?

I watched a video on Facebook a while ago and that just reminds me of a statement I made a couple of days back while at a vacation in Lonavala. A passing statement! "Why can't we just go on a walk like this all the time at night. And only women?" Time: 11:00 PM. Street: High end deserted. Weather: Just perfect.

What you should not fail to notice is, a simple thing like a walk is a big thing given the hour!

I have never walked the streets during that time without having any sense of fear. I must have, when I was a little kid, under adult supervision, of course. And here I was fearless, clear and calm, in the head and heart. It's not just my voice or thought. It's of all women in this country.

There are instances where I have travelled very late in some "safe" cabs. But not without sitting at the edge of my seat, praying that I reach home safe. And waiting for that moment to get off. I know it's safe, but I cannot guarantee. That's the difference! And probably those were the last chances I took.

Has India come to a point where inspite of revolts and resistance, there is a long way to go for change?

I'm a patriot at heart, hard core. But, offlate, the trust I have had is waivering. I do like to sound like a pessimist here, (and I have become in the past few years!) because that stands true. Because to live in this country, you always need a man who is protective of you. Else you choose to be protective of your own self. And I do the latter, so that I do not bother my brother and father. And how is that? I am back in the nest during the "safe timezone". Why all the hassle right? Did you just nod? If yes, we need to think what led to a simple thing such as an agreement to the statement.

I grew up in a household of equals. Still growing! But I am not an equal outside my arena. I am a girl and I need to be careful. Watchful. Submissive so as to not attract unnecessary attention. Isn't this what the society has taught us? And thanks to the society that liberal people are the first to become paranoid. Because the contrary has always been true.

Are we talking about the same country where a single boy of 28+ is a hot cake in town and a girl of 28+ is a mere burden!? No no, no round robin here. It's a highway! So, eventually the girl succumbs for the safety and security that comes along and gives in. (With right choices or wrong choices which will be unearthed in few years from then) Why? Has this become the basis of marriage in our country? I always thought it's between two individuals, where both remain individuals and neither of them become entities!

The big paradoxical question is, why should men take care at all? Why does a woman in India need a man to look after her, all the time? The exoskeleton is the same! But still? The answer is simple. Because of "other men". And who are these "other men"? Someone else's father or brother. What an ugly paradox! Looks like the evil category of "other men" has kept women and all the sane men on their toes! But for how long?

I like to hear when my girlfriends tell me that it's so safe, with no prying eyes, in other countries they live in. And I have wished why isn't this country that we live in the same? There isn't a solution to the way the society is churning out to be. For one solution, there are plenty of problems that tag along. But for how long? I don't know. (Sigh!)

I hope and only hope that our daughters are not writing something like this sometime in the future. Until then, stay safe girls! Find your choices! ;-)