Bombay
or Mumbai was, is and will always be the city of dreams - the city
where an idea either becomes gold or dust but both are sold, the city
where night and day are just adjustments of light, the city where the
perceived 'poor' are actually richer than their 'rich' counterparts (ask
the 'poor' middle-class!!). Yet it's still not the same. There is a dangerous change.
Once upon a time, living in Bombay would mean envious looks from visitng cousins, bragging sessions, air of superirority , preferential treatment.. but all that is on the reverse track. The Bombay that I grew up in, where I could safely travel in the bus without my parents, where I could go for my morning cycling sessions with gay abandon, where I could trust a stranger to give me directions, is rapidly becoming a city of crime and criminals, a city of lawlessness and hopelessness, a city of might not right. Now, there are daylight robberies, rapes, frauds happening with alarming regularity. In such a situation, how do we protect ourselves?
Reading the above facts makes you morose, gives you a sense of helplessness, burdens you down with the harsh realities of life.. But all is not lost. Just by being a bit more aware, smart and friendly you can remain safe. That is why choosing the right neighbourhood, especially for single women, is a necessity even if it entails a bit of more hardwork.
- A perpetually busy area would definitely act as a deterrent to illegal activities. e.g. I live in a society which has a restaurant kitchen on the premises.. Since the restaurant shuts late, there are always people around and an extra watchman too! While the presence of the kitchen itself is a nuisance, I am thankful for the distant company that I have. Recently it was in the papers that crime is on the increase in hip Bandra, Juhu areas. Why are these areas an easy target? Because most of the appartments are occupied by singles, expats, NRIs, frequent travellers. Choose an area or rather a building that has the right mix of all classes of people, that has a bit of life, where people interact with each other, where there are some nosy neighbours .
- Thus coming to the 'Know your neighbours' rule. Bring out that long pointed Indian nose and form a tongue-waggers group .. You'll pretty soon know who is who in the society/ complex that you live in.
- Always insist on a having a photo of the person whom you employ for your household chores. Or casually, sneakily click one and store carefully. Be it dhobiwala, dudhwala, dabbawala, bai, watchman, garderner, car-washer. Generally we tend to be so ecastatic to have such services available that we overlook the verification factor. If possible, do enquire about your helpers' character and where they stay, with whom, etc.
- Sometimes, distance from workplace should not be the only concern. If the area gets lonely after certain hours, if it is not plugged into the public transport system, it can create more of a nuisance to you. It could mean coming home walking through a deserted place. You can avoid that and choose a locality even if a bit far but that is easily accessible.
- Work out an alarm system. Not the kind that wakes you up but one that would wake up a buddy, a relative in case you are in trouble. It could be a speed dial, it could be a special number dedicated only for emergency, it could be just a scream in a particular fashion that would alert the nighbours.
These are not exhaustive suggestions. These are just general guidelines that we often forget or are too lazy to follow. Feel free to comment but do not abuse!
Once upon a time, living in Bombay would mean envious looks from visitng cousins, bragging sessions, air of superirority , preferential treatment.. but all that is on the reverse track. The Bombay that I grew up in, where I could safely travel in the bus without my parents, where I could go for my morning cycling sessions with gay abandon, where I could trust a stranger to give me directions, is rapidly becoming a city of crime and criminals, a city of lawlessness and hopelessness, a city of might not right. Now, there are daylight robberies, rapes, frauds happening with alarming regularity. In such a situation, how do we protect ourselves?
Reading the above facts makes you morose, gives you a sense of helplessness, burdens you down with the harsh realities of life.. But all is not lost. Just by being a bit more aware, smart and friendly you can remain safe. That is why choosing the right neighbourhood, especially for single women, is a necessity even if it entails a bit of more hardwork.
- A perpetually busy area would definitely act as a deterrent to illegal activities. e.g. I live in a society which has a restaurant kitchen on the premises.. Since the restaurant shuts late, there are always people around and an extra watchman too! While the presence of the kitchen itself is a nuisance, I am thankful for the distant company that I have. Recently it was in the papers that crime is on the increase in hip Bandra, Juhu areas. Why are these areas an easy target? Because most of the appartments are occupied by singles, expats, NRIs, frequent travellers. Choose an area or rather a building that has the right mix of all classes of people, that has a bit of life, where people interact with each other, where there are some nosy neighbours .
- Thus coming to the 'Know your neighbours' rule. Bring out that long pointed Indian nose and form a tongue-waggers group .. You'll pretty soon know who is who in the society/ complex that you live in.
- Always insist on a having a photo of the person whom you employ for your household chores. Or casually, sneakily click one and store carefully. Be it dhobiwala, dudhwala, dabbawala, bai, watchman, garderner, car-washer. Generally we tend to be so ecastatic to have such services available that we overlook the verification factor. If possible, do enquire about your helpers' character and where they stay, with whom, etc.
- Sometimes, distance from workplace should not be the only concern. If the area gets lonely after certain hours, if it is not plugged into the public transport system, it can create more of a nuisance to you. It could mean coming home walking through a deserted place. You can avoid that and choose a locality even if a bit far but that is easily accessible.
- Work out an alarm system. Not the kind that wakes you up but one that would wake up a buddy, a relative in case you are in trouble. It could be a speed dial, it could be a special number dedicated only for emergency, it could be just a scream in a particular fashion that would alert the nighbours.
These are not exhaustive suggestions. These are just general guidelines that we often forget or are too lazy to follow. Feel free to comment but do not abuse!
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