Editor,
Along with the 23 year old medical student, who was beaten and gang- raped in Delhi on December 16, 2012, there are hundreds of other young girls and women who have been brutally gang raped and murdered in many parts of the country. My thoughts and prayers are with those rape victims and especially the bereaved families. A beautiful life cut short by monstrous and lustful men is deplorable and unacceptable. Rape had happened in the past but it is rearing its ugly head now with ferocity. Following the recent gang rape in New Delhi debates on issues surrounding rape laws, criminal justice system, punishment, policing et al are heating up. Other issues that ensued in the debate is about challenging and reforming the mindset of the society (especially men) towards women folk. Perhaps, there is another pertinent issue within the mindset debate, i.e our perception on night fife. Night life is being negated as something notorious, fearful and evil, thereby allowing destructive elements to rein in our nocturnal space. In the new economic era and with rapid urbanization, human activities cannot be confined to day light only. There are hundred s and thousands of young girls and women who are slogging both day and night to make ends meet and they are entitled to feel free, safe and secure.
I am challenged by the fact that if all grown up girls and women alike withdraw from their activities and places of work, the economy of the nation will collapse and suffer tremendously. Along with a few like minded friends we have been trying to organize an impromptu concert on New Years Eve to express our solidarity with our mothers and sisters who are being traumatized by the soulless goons and rapists. Perhaps the solidarity concert might not happen for want of time and other logistic problems, but nonetheless our City is replete with New Years Eve Celebrations of various hues and it will be held in localities, Churches, Pubs, Clubs, private homes et al. This is the opportune moment and I earnestly appeal to mothers, sisters and fellow men to brace themselves reclaim the night from goons and rapists. Let us begin on New Years Eve.
God created light and darkness. Light is called Day and darkness Night. Have a blessed New Year!
Yours etc.,
Rev.K.Pyrtuh,
Via email
Women deserve a secure employment environment
Editor,
A heart-breaking and shameful incident that eventually led to the death of a 23-year-old medical student in the national capital forces us to introspect on the double standards and hypocrisy prevalent across the country. As the nation makes a hue and cry over the gruesome incident, it is time to ponder on whether we are actually committed to providing security to our women who are teased, molested, raped and even murdered on a daily basis. While the Centre has promised to bring legal reforms to curb such distasteful incidents, it is time for all sections of society do their bit to prevent such heinous crimes. The National Capital Region (NCR) is a hub of multinational companies where people from all parts of the country, including the Northeast, work for a living. Other than the BPOs (call centres), the majority of multinational firms do not provide transport facilities to their employees, male and female. The IT, FMCG and other companies fall in this category. It is common knowledge that girls, especially ones from the northeast, have been targets of hooligans out on the prowl and as such have been victimised on several occasions. Despite this, these companies, which churn out huge profits every year, fail to share responsibility for the safety of their female employees.
Women employed in corporate houses are seen travelling in metros and buses even during late evening hours. As most of the companies are located at a distance from metro or bus stands, young women have to deal with the filthy comments and cover themselves from the gazing eyes of the human predators as they make their way to office. Calls Centers provide cab pick-up and drop facilities to both male and female employees keeping in mind the hours of operations. But companies which follow normal business timings do not usually provide any kind of facility. What disheartening is that as a clause these companies mention that whenever a female employee is asked to stay back for long hours, she can avail cab facility. But the same is never followed. Such hypocrisy on the part of the companies has hampered the career of young women for they cannot handle the work timings due to insecurity.
Hence, the time is ripe for the government to look into the existing policies of these corporate houses and conduct surprise checks so as to curb such money-saving practices which risk the lives of our daughters and sisters.
Yours etc.,
Akansha Kulshrestha,
New Delhi
