New Delhi: The horrific gang rape of a 23-year old girl in December 2012 witnessed international coverage and participants from various countries at a recent performing arts festival were “apprehensive” about visiting Delhi.
“The gang rape made headlines in our newspapers for a long time. We all are aware of the dreadful incident,” said Kilian, from the Michael Drama Group, Germany, who was here to participate in the just concluded 13th Children’s Festival for Performing Arts.
“We had heard and read a lot about Delhi being unsafe for women, so were a bit apprehensive. We weren’t sure,” he said adding that the perception changed after a few days of stay here because of the “warmth of people.”
Besides Germany, 20 other countries participated in the four-day festival beginning December 5, hosted by Ryan group of institutions and included performances like musical plays, dramas, circus, workshops and puppet plays.
A girls-only dance troupe from Sri Lanka, echoed the sentiments of the group from Germany.
“We had read in the news about the Nirbhaya gang-rape. We had some doubts about the city but now they are gone as people are so kind and nice,” said Anjana of Vishaka School and Gitanjali Dance academy. Performers from Morocco and Russia said even though they had “heard a little bit about women safety in the capital” they decided not to have pre-conceived notions.
The city’s food and “driving habits of Delhiites” were the other most discussed topics in the conversation of these young performers from abroad. (PTI)
