Woman or A Wilted Flower?

This could have been any other day for a girl in Mumbai who goes to college, attends lectures and then spends time with her friends and comes back home. But it wasn't meant to be.

I did leave for college. I did attend my lecture and then I decided to go with my friends to Siddhivinayaka Temple (Lord Ganesh is the deity there) after that. Little did I know that the harsh reality that flashed in newspapers everyday would strike me hard for real.

Before entering the temple, we had to undergo a security check since it is a high security area. I went inside the temple but before that my friend's bag was checked and a cutter was supposedly detected inside. She looked at me with her eyes wide open and said- "How else am I supposed to protect myself?"

Just after her bag beeped, it was my other friend's turn. This time what popped out was a shining steel knife!Her expressions revealed what she wanted to say and it differed little from my other friend's words.

I walked ahead with my friends who suddenly felt defenseless with their weapons resting safely in the baggage counter with another friend's laptop.

We stood in the queue to get a glimpse of Ganesha's idol, the elephant-headed God, the destroyer of all Vighnas or obstructions. Before we could actually start praying and presenting our bucket-list to him, we were pushed away for the other devotees to start presenting theirs. 

But why was I suddenly so distant from all that was happening around me? Normally, I would have tried to fix my feet on the ground for sometime longer just to look at the peaceful idol infront of me but today I just let myself be pushed away by the crowd towards the exit. Why, I thought. 

Now I know why. I was and still am thinking about those two friends of mine who in order to feel safe had to carry weapons like some murderers attempting to kill someone! Is this what our society has turned to ? Is it what the future of women in our city is? Forget this city, the whole country seems to be becoming unsafe for women or what else can one say about this issue when more than one-fourth of a newspaper is often covered with crime/injustice and degradation of women from all walks of life?

SAVE IT, BEFORE IT WILTS AWAY COMPLETELY...

Is this where we, as a democratic, liberal country are headed towards? Is this the country of Rani Laxmibai? (Where women walking around with weapons is concerned, it definitely is!)

If some people forget that this is Rani Laxmibai's nation where women are strong, brave,capable and independent then maybe it's time for every woman to stand up for herself just like Laxmibai did. 

This day will remain etched in a corner of my heart, reminding me time and again that yes it indeed is time for me to buy a pepper spray to carry along with me.

- Divya Nambiar,

  Mumbai ( Yes, it was here that a woman photojournalist was raped a few weeks ago)