A dying species called the carefree Indian girl

       Every time there is a case of sexual assault against a woman, I get sick to my stomach. The fear begins to creep around me afresh. Most people don’t know what it is like to be a working girl living alone in a big city. We have programmed ourselves to never let our guards down!  There is always a constant fear at the back of our mind, prompting us to be vigilant. We, girls, have been living with this feeling for so long that we’ve forgotten what it’s like to feel safe. We are not safe at work, or in public places, or at home. Where do we go? Why can’t our society make us feel safe?  The society rejoices when a girl wins an Olympic medal, but it doesn’t think twice before it stifles a newborn girl child?

      

       Working and living alone in India is a nightmare for a single girl. It definitely makes you question the double standards of the society. With the recent cold blooded murder of Pallavi Purkayastha, there is now another strata of men from our society that we cannot trust- security guards. The list already included- cab drivers, autowallahs, servants, cable T.V men, internet cafe owners and landlords to name a few. If the protectors of people (read the security guard, in this case) become the perpetrators of crime then who can we trust? The irony here stinks.

       

         During my stay in Mumbai, there were often occasions when I would return home late from work, and on some occasions drenched in the sudden downpours. The sight of my security guard seemed relieving. But after this incident, I am beginning to wonder if I had had my share of narrow escapes back then. It is an extremely disconcerting feeling! We, girls, already have a long list of Dos and Don’ts to follow to ensure our safety, such as- no stopping at random stores for milk & supplies at night, minimal late nights, keeping away from strangers etc. My point is, will there ever be a Do’s and Don’ts list that will assure us of our safety?

       

       The term ‘be careful’ is engraved into our psyche right from a young age. We are so accustomed to it that we have forgotten how to be carefree. With every such grotesque act of crime, the carefree girl within us, hides even more. Why should there be a trade-off between our freedom and safety?  Why can’t we have both?  What is the cure for this malaise afflicting our society?

  

       The carefree girl within us just wants the freedom to live without fear, is it too much to ask for?