Safety and Precaution – necessity or needless worry?
Metros have become havens for the new generation, and why not? They cater to their academic, sport, extra-curricular interests in addition to breathing new life into art, music, theatre, adventure and a varied array of pursuits. It is no wonder then that youngsters flock to metros, their Mecca of expression, life and all things cool.
Metros also have this wonderful embrace of anonymity that cocoons you in its warmth, away from censure and prying eyes. Well, I guess it is the anonymity that is the most enchanting aspect. Imagine just being able to be yourself most of the time! I live in Bangalore, and am aware that it is a favorite destination for the country’s youth, and is ranked number three in terms of most populous cities in India. With a population of close to 11 million, it also boasts 10,000+ expatriates and a cultural potpourri of cuisine, art and culture.
So far, so good. Suddenly the dream world we live in is shattered by violence - ugly and menacing, and wreaked upon the most vulnerable sections who are women and children. The bubble bursts! Media frenzy, public apathy and police inefficiency all combine to create a horror that no words can fully describe and you are left wondering, ‘Hey, my grandma’s favorite saying was that it is better to be sensible about safety. After all, it’s your life that is in question!”, and it now suddenly takes on new meaning. How did that wise old lady, many decades ago, foresee this decline in social order, so fast and so debilitating?
I read in a recent article on the web where it was stated that “When a city is described as safe, it is not all about the law and order situation. Much of it is about the resilience and tolerance levels of people who live there,” and I am beginning to believe it. The subject of women’s safety in growing metros has been a one of much discussion in the recent past and precious little is being done about it. Searching for some stats online suggests that police forces around the world are commonly measured as the number of police per 100,000 people, and India has 129! And if that has you startled, then check this one out - “more than four new offenders are added every minute to further burden our (already slow) criminal justice system.” I don’t think you need numbers of Bangalore city’s police to population ratios to convince you that we are in the grip of something quite unsolvable as far as ratios go.
But we have to remember that crime is gender-agnostic, and we are seeing a rising trend of crimes against men, of which mugging is the most common. It’s amazing what someone will do for a small gain. So you definitely cannot take your gender for granted. An unguarded ATM kiosk, a lonely stretch of road and even hitchhiking can lead to some disastrous consequences. Did you know in 1998, a Men’s rights movement began in India to protect men against false cases of dowry and torture? Yes, believe it!
So friends, from one fiercely independent, free-wheeling spirit to another, I think it’s time we took sensible advice about safety precautions seriously, because we are worth it! You know, stuff like don’t venture out alone late at night, be wary in dark alleys and parks, beware of using public transport and cabs at night, etc.? Well, make them an integral part of your safety kit because the world hasn’t changed all that much in a millennia, maybe more and I don’t think it will. No amount of policing, cameras, patrolling, fast track courts and all the other paraphernalia that the world has at its disposal is really going to deter the hardened criminal. So you do the next best thing - look out for yourself and don’t take unnecessary risks with regard to safety. If you have children, make it an integral part of their lives too. Don’t make it a fear that limits her, but a caution that allows her to tread boldly, with confidence. That precaution will come in the way of your ambition is just an old wives’ tale. I can personally vouch for that!
What do you think?
Former Director General of Police, former President for South India of Institute of Directors India
9 年The scenario painted is no fiction. Empowering our girls have made them bold and confident. The flip side is that they cannot imagine that a catastrophe can visit them. Accidents and violence happen to others. A false sense of security is also a factor contributing to the emerging ecosystem of violence. As in Nature the Venus Flytraps, Pitcher Plant's and Sundews are not easily visible but are carnivorous, outwardly gentle and pursuing responsible jobs, many a carnivorous caucus are becoming ubiquitous and indulge in setting traps, everyday and everywhere, for unsuspecting boys and girls. Not only violations and violence against women and children are on the increase as is taken up these days by the media, traps like drugs and trafficking affecting the youth are not being addressed seriously by any section of the civic society or administrators. Conversations do happen. Heated debates in various fora, in Legislatures and Parliament. But action is not initiated anywhere. Even when initiated are either not effective enough or is killed at nascent stage itself. A public debate on what all needs to be done, what all may be viable may be an option.
Global HR Director & MD - APAC - Summa Linguae Technologies | Board Sponsor Global Community - Women in Localization | Vice-President South CITLoB
9 年So the keyword here is BE-AWARE (Beware)
Sustainability & ESG | ESG Digital Products & Technology | ESG Strategy | Sales & Business Development | Sustainable Supply Chain
9 年Nice article ma'am
Data Privacy and Assurance | Insurance & Banking
9 年Time to press the panic button ? Not quite yet. But it's about time. What you have shared, Is the ugly side of our society. Inclusiveness is one step. The perverse and fear mongers make hay when abiding the rule of law is considered as meek and submissive. So how do we tackle this ? Resistance ? Possibly a quick fix, but full of intellectual void. Never conducive. Accept and give in ? Easiest. But as an individual in a society where women are worshipped but a vast majority still a second class citizen , extremely painful, What then ? Not one magic mantra, but probably a point worth contemplating. Inclusion of the intellectual devoids towards remediating this menace. Educate. At home and at school and everywhere. Begins with ourselves. Not an old wives tale, but a tale old enough for wives n husbands n all to wake upto. You have nothing to fear, but fear itself. Be the change.