"In Delhi We Were Afraid At All hours"

I won’t say Bangalore is heaven, but having lived in Delhi tillrecently, I find myself breathing much more freely here. It’s common to see groups ofyoung women going to pubs without male escorts—something unthinkable in Delhi. Theycan dress as they feel and walk about without necessarily inviting vulgar comments.

I must admit, however, that things are worsening in Bangalore as thecity grows. After say 9 o’clock, it feels a little unsafe nowadays to be out alone orwith other girls. But in Delhi, we were afraid at all hours. So, this city is stillrefreshingly different.

Having done my schooling in Delhi, and settled in Bombay subsequently,I wonder how I would ever have worked in the capital. My job detains me till late hourshere, but I never worry about going home by public transport even past midnight. In Delhi,women fear DTC and all other buses, while in Bombay we feel safe with BEST. Comenightfall, working women in the capital are dogged by the nagging fear of being accostedon the way home if they have to return alone.

In Bombay, we go to discos without fearing men deliberately brushingagainst you, which is routine in Delhi. There are hardly any disco brawls here becausepeople come to dance and have a good time, unlike Delhi where most men at such places areonly on the lookout for "fair game".

I lived in Delhi for 19 years before moving to Calcutta after marriage.I remember even in my college days, we were scared coming back home during the afternoon,leave alone going out at night. Delhi was always like that and I am never surprised byreports of eve-teasing and molestation there. It pains me, though, that things seem to beworsening. I wouldn’t dream of sending my teenage daughters to study in Delhi today.In Calcutta, there are enough places women can go to, alone. There are movie halls herewhich are safe for unescorted women even for late night shows—quite unlike Delhi.

I remember, for 15 days before and after Holi, we either skippedcollege or travelled in mortal fear. As it is, Delhi is a hooligan city but during Holi,they have a free rein of the city. That just shows the mindset. I am glad I moved toCalcutta.