Sex and the Tri-City

This post is strictly and only about the commoners.

Ever since Nirbhaya, the gang rape victim, left us for a better world I have been on the lookout for some sort of a shift in the societal paradigm regarding women and the general attitude towards them. And it may be too soon to speak but I am sensing a change. I can’t speak for rest of the country but I feel somewhat elated to tell you that Chandigarh and the tri-city area sure seem to have learnt a lesson or two.

I am not talking about myself here – I barely even step out of my security zone (anymore) for the fear of the unknown- yes, I am paranoid like that. But that still does not change the fact that I am a born observer – Good or bad, I can’t comment – but the truth is that not even a non-threatening middle aged autorickshaw driver can escape unobserved if I am on the watch. 

And let’s give the credit where it is due – it may have taken a blast – but the men finally seem to have awakened. Yes, don’t look so surprised – it’s you I am talking about.

I don’t know about other girls but I am here to compliment you for the changed attitude that I have witnessed off late and I wish it lasts.

 If I can be brutally sceptic about men when I feel that they deserve it (so much so that some of my friends have started naming me a chauvinist) then I can also speak up for you when I feel that you are doing your bit.

Let's start with the..  

Traffic signals – I can’t tell you the number of times I have witnessed men gawking shamelessly at a girl – especially if she is on a two-wheeler- at a traffic signal. As if they are the potential buyers and she is an item on display – I don’t know whether it is just me or it is actually so – but I have not seen a single man do that in the span of last two to three weeks. Bravo!

Cinema halls – Well, I was out watching Matru ki bijli ka mandola last night and there is this scene where Bijli emerges from the water clad in skimpy-skimpy clothes. And we are used to it to such an extent, that the moment she popped out of the water I almost covered my ears – in order to avoid hearing any explicit male fantasy. But again – I was in for a big – big surprise – not a single fellow said anything that would have made every girl in the hall shift uncomfortably in her seat – an occasional whistle may be- but that was it. Trust me, I am telling the truth. Decent movie, by the way. Panakj Kapoor steals the show and also there is a hidden surprise in the form of Babbar junior – he has done justice to his role.

Media – The public outcry against “main balatkari hun”. I was so happy to see people- when they finally started seeing that there is something terribly wrong with the songs that have been doing rounds in the Indian hip-hop market. It was high time that these self-proclaimed rappers were given a brush of reality. Not just Honey Singh – there are a lot others too. But the way people rejected the kingpin – I am sure the tit-bits will take a hike themselves. You may be talented – nobody is denying that – but the fact is that it remains to be seen yet – through a more sophisticated portal.

Social media – God! The way my facebook homepage used to be flooded with people posting statuses/pictures/links/videos depicting women in a very unwelcome way. All that seems to have mellowed down big time – it hasn’t vanished completely – but yes, there is a big cut down. Kudos!

The Police: Last but not the least, the Police. I have seen it. I have seen it in their eyes. I have sensed it. They are a changed lot. I see them every day on my way to work and on my way back. There is something different and by different- I mean, Good different. I have seen that look of responsibility - and how I wish that it is there to stay.

So three cheers to the change and three cheers to the change-makers!