On urgent office work, I travel by train to Coimbatore, on somebody else's ticket! Making the journey more worrisome is a bunch of drunken men who harass a lady passenger. Rather than pitch into the action as a rescuer, I go by the telephonic advice of my police friend, Narendra, an ACP, and record the scenes using my camera cell phone. Cops act fast and arrest the inebriated passengers. And I ponder why women agonise about being harassed when travelling alone; or, whether these are only imagined fears?
Last week's episode about harassers on the train has elicited varied responses. For instance, Nujum mails in from New Delhi, "Ms Swati, I do not understand what you wanted to communicate through your article [url=www.usasmoking.com]Cheap Cigarettes[/url]. When a co-passenger was being harassed by a group of men under the influence of alcohol, you photographed the scene, called up your ACP friend, and then fell asleep." No, called Narendra and then photographed. "Anything could have been happened to that girl before the police arrived. Then what is the difference between you and other passengers?" asks Nujum. "This was not a lonely incident. One incident happened in your presence. Many such incidents are happening daily. Co-passengers of such victims may not have a top police official to call up for help. If some passengers take the initiative to protest against such hooligans others will definitely support them. The question is who will bell the cat?" But, Nujum, I was only acting as per police advice.
"Hi. I came across your column. and later checked your blog," writes Shrinidhi. "I've enjoyed reading your present and past blogs. Good work. Very few people read it but I keep writing anyway. Have a look if time permits." Thanks Shrinidhi. All the best!
"Dear Swati, I want to have some information about service tax," says Sonali of Topnotch Placements. "Are there chartered accountants who specialise in service tax?" The answer is `Yes'! Also, CAs pay service tax, unlike their brethren in the legal profession.
A mail from Reshmi Menon of Mumbai reads, "Yes Swati, as the girl asked, you could have gone down and helped her out?" Ah, my heart sinks. But there's a second mail from Reshmi, which says, "On second thoughts your informing the police was also laudable."
Sriram Kannan says, "Hi Swati I am regular reader of your column. The topic that you have raised this week is worth pondering as hectic travelling accompanies every job profile these days. The agony that women undergo, as indicated by your column, indicates a disturbing trend in an otherwise fast-growing country such as ours. These days women occupy high positions, but physical intimidation is prevalent, irrespective of age and stature. The only thing women can do to prevent these agonies is not to be intimidated by these silly actions and take stern action against these anti-social elements courageously." Positive thought!
"Hello Swati, I believe that all women have to learn techniques of self-defence [url=www.wholesalecheapcigarettes.com]Marlboro Lights[/url]. This is increasingly becoming a necessity. More and more women are now economically independent. Their jobs require travelling on their own, being on their own, and taking care of themselves. Such harassment as you have mentioned is not an imagined fear and may not happen only while travelling. While the law and order machinery needs to be sensitised to the issue, the need for women to be able to defend themselves cannot be undermined," reads a thoughtful mail from Mamata Hardikar.
She has a few questions: "Where was the Railway Police? Where was the attendant/ticket checker of the coach? What if you were not one of the co-passengers? What if you didn't know a police officer? What if your cell phone didn't have a camera? What if help didn't arrive as you assumed it would.?" Perhaps, in the alternative, I would have jumped from the berth to display a few of the martial art techniques I'd learnt from Urmila only a few months earlier!
"Hi, I could imagine your plight on that train and also that of the other lady passenger who was harassed," writes Warren Ezekiel of Melbourne. "Let me tell you my ordeal when I was travelling from Chennai to Coimbatore this was approximately four years ago. Though, I am a male I did feel frustrated when I was trying to get off the auto-rickshaw at Central Station. A guy jumped into the rickshaw near the new reservation building and demanded that he carry my luggage as if it was his birthright to do so though I had only a small suitcase. I had a terrible time telling him to back off. Understanding from my accent that I was not from Chennai, he then began to pick a quarrel with me." What a pity that some of the first encounters at the station can be harrowing!
"Part two of the story was that I did have some drunken hooligans in the train too. They were up the whole night and ran from place to place screaming and teasing each other. Having travelled from Melbourne the previous night and wanting to reach Coimbatore peacefully I could not sleep a wink. It was only at Salem that these fellows were tired of their pranks and they slept till Coimbatore and could not wake up when the train arrived there." Warren asks, "Where is the police and RPF when we need them? I think a central number should function so that one could ring and complain about hoodlums on the trains so that they are nabbed at the next station. Plainclothes policemen and RPF are a must on trains. I think next time I travel to India I shall have to either take a connecting flight to Coimbatore from Chennai or get off at Bangalore and take the train from there." Hope your next trip is more peaceful, Warren.
P. V. Sudhakar Rao from Ongole is emphatic that women should be skilled in karate to face troublesome situations. "Lately, while going through Business Line
, I came across a news item that a company has imparted karate training to its women employees as a self-defence measure. I also read that APSRTC female bus conductors know karate. Moreover, police should react as quickly as your friend, Narendra. Punishments inflicted on the harassers should be severe [url=www.smokingsaleusa.com]Cigarette Tobacco For Sale[/url]." Thanks Sudhakar.
"Travelling under tickets booked for someone else is an offence," points out S. Krithivasan. "The drinking/booing episode certainly shows the levels to which the society has gone down, without caring for others' sensibilities and likes and dislikes. Etiquette has been bid bye," he rues. "That no other passenger, including the TTE attached to the coach, raised a finger is not comforting either. What happened to the RPF/State police who travel for security in a majority of the trains nowadays? It is the TTE concerned and the police who should be taken to task for not discharging their expected duties."
Priya writes, "A survey conducted by Readers' Digest
says that Mumbai is the rudest city in the world. I would say that the whole of India is, or at least the cities are, quite rude. Agreed that there are a host of problems like water, traffic and all, but where is our basic politeness? I am referring to this since it seems to have some relevance to your question about harassment to women."
The solution lies only with the men, she says. "Do they (the tormentors) ever feel cheap, impolite or rude about harassing? Only if they realise that their sadistic pleasure harasses and causes mental agony for women will it stop. The question is, will it ever happen? I am not sure about it."
Priya narrates from her experience: "Once when in college I had to attend a quiz competition in a Government college conducted by an Indian heritage society. To walk from the entrance to the hall itself was such a painful experience. Added to that was the behaviour of the tormentors (who were from the same college) during the session. They were in the rudest of their behaviour and were teasing the girls non-stop and that too, would you believe, in front of the dignitaries! Even they (the dignitaries) did not or could not protest [url=www.cigarettessupermarket.com]Marlboro Cigarettes[/url]. I did wonder at that time `Will they ever be good citizens?' There are lot of good things to learn from the West. I was surprised to hear the numerous `Thank yous' and `Pleases' and `Have a nice days' and wonderful manners when I landed here. I do hope (a faint one but) we get back our manners and there is a change." I too wish, so, Priya.
Mother's worry
On Thursday evening, my colleague Vasanti insisted that I accompany her to the beach. It had drizzled in the afternoon and the weather was pleasant, so I agreed. The evening was gradually turning to darkness. And Vasanti was unusually silent. "How is your son?" I asked, remembering that her son, the only child, was in college. "I have been worrying about him. " her voice trailed. "Studies?" I asked. She shook her head. "He seems to be doing well in class. Of late, he has been remaining aloof from me." I laughed, "A girl, perhaps!" Vasanti's face turned sombre, "No, Swati, I am anxious that my son doesn't get into drugs!"
She was looking furtively at a group of college students on bikes [url=www.cheapcigarettesfamily.com]Buy Cigarettes Online[/url], not far away, as if worried whether her son was among them [url=www.cigarettesno1.com]Newport Cigarettes Website[/url]. Her concerns were genuine, and the students in our vicinity seemed to be up to some mischief, rolling what looked like powder into emptied cigarettes. Looking at the relentless waves, I wondered if there were any telltale signs that could alert parents about drug addiction that their sons or daughters may be getting into. Send in your thoughts by Friday.
Related articles:
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[url=http://vibezmuzik.siteboard.eu/blog-e10562-Are-you-addicted-to-your-emotions.html]Price Of 20 Cigarettes[/url]
Last week's episode about harassers on the train has elicited varied responses. For instance, Nujum mails in from New Delhi, "Ms Swati, I do not understand what you wanted to communicate through your article [url=www.usasmoking.com]Cheap Cigarettes[/url]. When a co-passenger was being harassed by a group of men under the influence of alcohol, you photographed the scene, called up your ACP friend, and then fell asleep." No, called Narendra and then photographed. "Anything could have been happened to that girl before the police arrived. Then what is the difference between you and other passengers?" asks Nujum. "This was not a lonely incident. One incident happened in your presence. Many such incidents are happening daily. Co-passengers of such victims may not have a top police official to call up for help. If some passengers take the initiative to protest against such hooligans others will definitely support them. The question is who will bell the cat?" But, Nujum, I was only acting as per police advice.
"Hi. I came across your column. and later checked your blog," writes Shrinidhi. "I've enjoyed reading your present and past blogs. Good work. Very few people read it but I keep writing anyway. Have a look if time permits." Thanks Shrinidhi. All the best!
"Dear Swati, I want to have some information about service tax," says Sonali of Topnotch Placements. "Are there chartered accountants who specialise in service tax?" The answer is `Yes'! Also, CAs pay service tax, unlike their brethren in the legal profession.
A mail from Reshmi Menon of Mumbai reads, "Yes Swati, as the girl asked, you could have gone down and helped her out?" Ah, my heart sinks. But there's a second mail from Reshmi, which says, "On second thoughts your informing the police was also laudable."
Sriram Kannan says, "Hi Swati I am regular reader of your column. The topic that you have raised this week is worth pondering as hectic travelling accompanies every job profile these days. The agony that women undergo, as indicated by your column, indicates a disturbing trend in an otherwise fast-growing country such as ours. These days women occupy high positions, but physical intimidation is prevalent, irrespective of age and stature. The only thing women can do to prevent these agonies is not to be intimidated by these silly actions and take stern action against these anti-social elements courageously." Positive thought!
"Hello Swati, I believe that all women have to learn techniques of self-defence [url=www.wholesalecheapcigarettes.com]Marlboro Lights[/url]. This is increasingly becoming a necessity. More and more women are now economically independent. Their jobs require travelling on their own, being on their own, and taking care of themselves. Such harassment as you have mentioned is not an imagined fear and may not happen only while travelling. While the law and order machinery needs to be sensitised to the issue, the need for women to be able to defend themselves cannot be undermined," reads a thoughtful mail from Mamata Hardikar.
She has a few questions: "Where was the Railway Police? Where was the attendant/ticket checker of the coach? What if you were not one of the co-passengers? What if you didn't know a police officer? What if your cell phone didn't have a camera? What if help didn't arrive as you assumed it would.?" Perhaps, in the alternative, I would have jumped from the berth to display a few of the martial art techniques I'd learnt from Urmila only a few months earlier!
"Hi, I could imagine your plight on that train and also that of the other lady passenger who was harassed," writes Warren Ezekiel of Melbourne. "Let me tell you my ordeal when I was travelling from Chennai to Coimbatore this was approximately four years ago. Though, I am a male I did feel frustrated when I was trying to get off the auto-rickshaw at Central Station. A guy jumped into the rickshaw near the new reservation building and demanded that he carry my luggage as if it was his birthright to do so though I had only a small suitcase. I had a terrible time telling him to back off. Understanding from my accent that I was not from Chennai, he then began to pick a quarrel with me." What a pity that some of the first encounters at the station can be harrowing!
"Part two of the story was that I did have some drunken hooligans in the train too. They were up the whole night and ran from place to place screaming and teasing each other. Having travelled from Melbourne the previous night and wanting to reach Coimbatore peacefully I could not sleep a wink. It was only at Salem that these fellows were tired of their pranks and they slept till Coimbatore and could not wake up when the train arrived there." Warren asks, "Where is the police and RPF when we need them? I think a central number should function so that one could ring and complain about hoodlums on the trains so that they are nabbed at the next station. Plainclothes policemen and RPF are a must on trains. I think next time I travel to India I shall have to either take a connecting flight to Coimbatore from Chennai or get off at Bangalore and take the train from there." Hope your next trip is more peaceful, Warren.
P. V. Sudhakar Rao from Ongole is emphatic that women should be skilled in karate to face troublesome situations. "Lately, while going through Business Line
, I came across a news item that a company has imparted karate training to its women employees as a self-defence measure. I also read that APSRTC female bus conductors know karate. Moreover, police should react as quickly as your friend, Narendra. Punishments inflicted on the harassers should be severe [url=www.smokingsaleusa.com]Cigarette Tobacco For Sale[/url]." Thanks Sudhakar.
"Travelling under tickets booked for someone else is an offence," points out S. Krithivasan. "The drinking/booing episode certainly shows the levels to which the society has gone down, without caring for others' sensibilities and likes and dislikes. Etiquette has been bid bye," he rues. "That no other passenger, including the TTE attached to the coach, raised a finger is not comforting either. What happened to the RPF/State police who travel for security in a majority of the trains nowadays? It is the TTE concerned and the police who should be taken to task for not discharging their expected duties."
Priya writes, "A survey conducted by Readers' Digest
says that Mumbai is the rudest city in the world. I would say that the whole of India is, or at least the cities are, quite rude. Agreed that there are a host of problems like water, traffic and all, but where is our basic politeness? I am referring to this since it seems to have some relevance to your question about harassment to women."
The solution lies only with the men, she says. "Do they (the tormentors) ever feel cheap, impolite or rude about harassing? Only if they realise that their sadistic pleasure harasses and causes mental agony for women will it stop. The question is, will it ever happen? I am not sure about it."
Priya narrates from her experience: "Once when in college I had to attend a quiz competition in a Government college conducted by an Indian heritage society. To walk from the entrance to the hall itself was such a painful experience. Added to that was the behaviour of the tormentors (who were from the same college) during the session. They were in the rudest of their behaviour and were teasing the girls non-stop and that too, would you believe, in front of the dignitaries! Even they (the dignitaries) did not or could not protest [url=www.cigarettessupermarket.com]Marlboro Cigarettes[/url]. I did wonder at that time `Will they ever be good citizens?' There are lot of good things to learn from the West. I was surprised to hear the numerous `Thank yous' and `Pleases' and `Have a nice days' and wonderful manners when I landed here. I do hope (a faint one but) we get back our manners and there is a change." I too wish, so, Priya.
Mother's worry
On Thursday evening, my colleague Vasanti insisted that I accompany her to the beach. It had drizzled in the afternoon and the weather was pleasant, so I agreed. The evening was gradually turning to darkness. And Vasanti was unusually silent. "How is your son?" I asked, remembering that her son, the only child, was in college. "I have been worrying about him. " her voice trailed. "Studies?" I asked. She shook her head. "He seems to be doing well in class. Of late, he has been remaining aloof from me." I laughed, "A girl, perhaps!" Vasanti's face turned sombre, "No, Swati, I am anxious that my son doesn't get into drugs!"
She was looking furtively at a group of college students on bikes [url=www.cheapcigarettesfamily.com]Buy Cigarettes Online[/url], not far away, as if worried whether her son was among them [url=www.cigarettesno1.com]Newport Cigarettes Website[/url]. Her concerns were genuine, and the students in our vicinity seemed to be up to some mischief, rolling what looked like powder into emptied cigarettes. Looking at the relentless waves, I wondered if there were any telltale signs that could alert parents about drug addiction that their sons or daughters may be getting into. Send in your thoughts by Friday.
Related articles:
[url=http://teorico.net/foro/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12003]Effects On Smoking Cigarettes[/url]
[url=http://vibezmuzik.siteboard.eu/blog-e10562-Are-you-addicted-to-your-emotions.html]Price Of 20 Cigarettes[/url]