A much younger acquaintance who has recently relocated from Bengaluru to Delhi inquired if travelling at night would be safe. I couldn’t be certain while responding.
Saumya, thank you for always being there. And I completely get it how it feels unsafe to travel alone at night. I think, as women, that’s one thing we shouldn’t feel -- unsafe in the city we live in. Not sure how long it would take for that to happen. Hoping, soon.
Priyanka, your essay brought back many memories of anxiety - ridden evenings of trying to reach my PG without anything "untoward" and feeling lucky once back. No one deserves to live like this. This is not normal. And essays like yours are helping these truths find the voice they need. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for reading, Parool. And thank you for such a thoughtful response.
With so many new cases of rape and abuse coming to light, I think it’s become more important for us all to reflect on these incidents and talk about them. ❤️
Priyanka.... the one who ran with courage.. after reading this essay i wanted to time-travel and be there on the road where the 3 KM run ended... so that I could offer your water from my a bottle and a hug... Thank you for this essay.
How I wish someone’s always there when one of us is going through something so horrible. Thank you for responding to the essay with so much love. Hoping for better and safer days for women where we don’t have to run so much and be vigilant all the time.
I ran with you Priyanka, I ran with you. your piece brings up so much for me, and I am ready to remember it all. these are difficult memories but I don't want to forget. thankyou for talking about it.
Thank you, Anusha. I'm deeply touched by your response. It's powerful to know that my story has connected with others who have been through similar experiences. Remembering can be difficult, but it’s so important to remember and reflect, and see the growth in your present life.
As a woman who has practically lived all her life navigating the safety concerns in Delhi, I resonated so much with your experiences and reflections! More power to you for fighting back when possible and running away when necessary! Thank you for writing this on behalf of so many of us :)
Priyanka, you are a very good story teller. I could clearly visualise the incident you narrated and even the raucous laughter of the women. You were always a good writer but after reading this piece i feel your writing has matured. Keep it up. More power to your pen dear
I am so sorry for all you had to endure. Maybe that's why most women are careful and concerned for all especially women.
Remember, we talked so much about how safe it is back then and it's the same concern now.
That was one of the reasons I dropped you on my way home so that we could chat a bit more and i would feel little more at ease seeing you safely reach the bus stop. You've always been brave or you chose to be one, that's your inner strength that has kept you going. As I read your article, I also realised I don't purposely travel alone at night. I rely on my instincts and stay away as much as possible from crowded places.
Saumya, thank you for always being there. And I completely get it how it feels unsafe to travel alone at night. I think, as women, that’s one thing we shouldn’t feel -- unsafe in the city we live in. Not sure how long it would take for that to happen. Hoping, soon.
Priyanka, your essay brought back many memories of anxiety - ridden evenings of trying to reach my PG without anything "untoward" and feeling lucky once back. No one deserves to live like this. This is not normal. And essays like yours are helping these truths find the voice they need. Thank you for writing this.
Thank you for reading, Parool. And thank you for such a thoughtful response.
With so many new cases of rape and abuse coming to light, I think it’s become more important for us all to reflect on these incidents and talk about them. ❤️
Priyanka.... the one who ran with courage.. after reading this essay i wanted to time-travel and be there on the road where the 3 KM run ended... so that I could offer your water from my a bottle and a hug... Thank you for this essay.
How I wish someone’s always there when one of us is going through something so horrible. Thank you for responding to the essay with so much love. Hoping for better and safer days for women where we don’t have to run so much and be vigilant all the time.
I ran with you Priyanka, I ran with you. your piece brings up so much for me, and I am ready to remember it all. these are difficult memories but I don't want to forget. thankyou for talking about it.
Thank you, Anusha. I'm deeply touched by your response. It's powerful to know that my story has connected with others who have been through similar experiences. Remembering can be difficult, but it’s so important to remember and reflect, and see the growth in your present life.
As a woman who has practically lived all her life navigating the safety concerns in Delhi, I resonated so much with your experiences and reflections! More power to you for fighting back when possible and running away when necessary! Thank you for writing this on behalf of so many of us :)
Thank you for reading, Sanskriti. 🤍🤍
This is all too familiar. Kudos for writing about it!
Priyanka, you are a very good story teller. I could clearly visualise the incident you narrated and even the raucous laughter of the women. You were always a good writer but after reading this piece i feel your writing has matured. Keep it up. More power to your pen dear
I am so sorry for all you had to endure. Maybe that's why most women are careful and concerned for all especially women.
Remember, we talked so much about how safe it is back then and it's the same concern now.
That was one of the reasons I dropped you on my way home so that we could chat a bit more and i would feel little more at ease seeing you safely reach the bus stop. You've always been brave or you chose to be one, that's your inner strength that has kept you going. As I read your article, I also realised I don't purposely travel alone at night. I rely on my instincts and stay away as much as possible from crowded places.
Thank you, Farida. Coming from someone who has edited my copies, this means so much 🤍🤍