The 'Ghosts' of Delhi

[Text and Sketch by D.B.]

Wednesday morning, 4 A.M., I debarked in Delhi after finishing my ninth semester. Visiting home in winters is a delight to the senses always. Experiencing Delhi’s winter chill is one of the favorite jobs on my ‘Things to Do’ list. The early morning chill, a cup of hot tea outside Old Delhi Railways Station, winter breeze, all could be called as the ingredients of ‘happiness of being-back’. The happiness, however, didn’t stay for long. The moment I saw the newspapers, I was ‘shocked’. I have seen such news before also but this was ‘limit’. The whole newspaper was filled with the news of the ‘Black’ incidence that happened a day before. Indeed, it’s a Black-incidence as it’s not less than killing people brutally under the name of terrorism. It took time for me to understand the whole story as I went through the news.

The incidence took the shape of an outrage when I was sleeping after the night-journey. Staying ‘inside’ prevents you from knowing what’s happening outside. I spent the whole day at home with family. At night, when alone, I checked the whole story again on net. I was ‘ashamed’ of what happened. As I have always been the first in taking pride in being a Delhi-ite, I now confess of being ashamed of what happened in my city. It is brutal and intolerable. The incidence has actually put a scar on the faces of all the ‘Dilli-wallahs’, who love their city by heart and are proud to be called as one.

Newspapers today, filled up again, with the news of outrage in the city and country. One compared the stats of the security guards for the VIP’s and a Delhi-ite. It is shocking! The fact that the city is not safe for anyone after 8 PM is known to me since years. I am using ‘anyone’, as it’s not the case for women only and that comes from my own experience of travelling in DTC bus from Janakpuri to Ashok Vihar at 9:30 PM, when half the bus is occupied by drunkards and those who are not in their senses to get down at the right stand. Being the national capital, the city still has not taken any measures regarding the issue. Ok, yes, the metro plies till 11:00 but what after Metro? The same Auto, car-pool, vacant bus-stops or a ‘white-charted bus’? Being a guy, I know that if I am in CP – the so-called ‘heart’ of the city, I have to leave the place by 9:00 in order to reach home safely. For girls, reduce the time by one hour. It’s pathetic.

But then I don’t want to be the one, like many others, just writing a blog post sitting in the quilt, in order to show that they ‘support the cause’. I am and have been a part of incidences, not as severe as these, and thus I am already a part of the voice against it. With this post I just want to spread the word of being careful and aware of the happenings ‘yourself’ instead of waiting for the politicians to pass some law or something. There are few measures that I follow myself whenever I am out there. I want you to please keep all this in mind and also tell others to follow. I know many a times we do not listen to our parents or feel bounded by ‘their’ security tips, but at the end of the day it’s not ‘their’, it is for OUR security.

With this I do not mean to offend or ‘teach’ anyone with the Dos and Don’ts. I realize that you are as responsible as I am and thus I want you to be your own guard irrespective of what the officials and governments say or does. All this is not only for girls as it is not THEM who are wrong anywhere, It’s for all of us – the youth standing at India Gate – it’s our problem and we need to fight with it ourselves.

BE IN TOUCH: We use this phrase hundreds of times while texting or talking to someone on phone (I myself use it always). What we never realize is that sometimes we need to mean it. Few years back I read an article on the same issue in Brunch Magazine. The solution was just to keep ‘someone’ updated about your movement. Not necessary your parents, I know that ‘we have our own life’ and thus we do not ‘always’ tell our mom-dad of our hideouts but then we have our friends. Whenever you are out at odd timings just keep texting or ‘be in touch’ with any of your friends, it’s like travelling with someone instead of being alone. Chat till you reach home safely, that’s it. Girls, if you have five guys staring at you then realize that you have ten who would do anything to protect you. And I am serious when I say that. You know it! Even in times when you feeling like being ‘alone-in-the-crowd-types’, after a fight with your guy or a bad day at office, just stay in touch with a friend.

LET YOUR SMART PHONE ACT ‘SMART’: Know the place where you are going. Keep yourself updated about the nearest amenities. Keep ‘watsaaping’ your pals about your where about. Keep the important numbers on speed dials. There are many other efforts that you can consider, Oh come on, haven’t you seen Taken? Yes, that’s what I am talking about.

WHATS THE TIME: As mentioned above also, Delhi is ‘dead’ after 8 PM. It is not that I am telling or ordering you to be back home by 8, it is just that be aware of your surroundings. Know your bus timings, keep yourself updated about the timings when public transport stops working in your area, avoid narrow, vacant spaces in your travel route, etc. Just keep your eyes open and beware after eight.

FOR ALL THE DUDES OUT THERE: Mayn, its High Time! Hitting gym twice a day or having 15” bicep is all waste if you cannot protect the girl standing near you. The newspapers say that there is one police officer to protect 500 Delhi-ites. Come on, that ‘muscle’ is there to flaunt only? Be a man and protect girls and it is not only for your girl that I am talking about. Realize the importance of your presence in a less crowded zone and take responsibility of women near you. We don’t need officers to protect us if we are aware ourselves; after all, we are not VIPs. Try learning ‘free-style’ fighting or just build yourself for a fight. Remember, if women are ‘beauty’ of nature then we are here as their ‘protector’.

I appreciate the effort by the victim’s friend. He failed but at least he tried.

'Z' security for them and 'Zzzzzz..' Security for us!

The whole incidence has made me feel ashamed of my own Dilli. This could have happened anywhere, but what is important is that it has happened, once again! The blog is meant for sharing the ‘smaller pleasures’ of life. I have several posts pending in pipeline but chose to post this first as no one can actually be happy realizing what all is happening out there. With this post I request rather advice all my friends to be active and act smart against such incidences. Guys, it’s a shame for all of us if we cannot even protect our girls and friends. Accept it and Act against it! Also, as the co-author of the blog, I wish for health of the victims and extend my support for them!