Let’s face it all of us have literally grown up hearing, seeing, reading about sexual harassment, rapes, eve teasing, and what not. Unfortunately its a part of our society, unfortunately we learn to live with it, unfortunately we also have to face such situations. A personal experience today has left me shocked, scarred, out of words and in tears. Well, to clear the air – nothing that serious. No one passed a lewd remark or tried to touch me inappropriately but yes it still hurt. Maybe because I had never even heard about something like this, maybe because I never imagined ke aisa kuch ho sakta hai, maybe because where it happened is supposed to be a super posh & safe place, maybe because it made me feel that girls are not safe -anywhere. I don’t know. Actually maybe because some men are just SICK! There can be no other reason

To cut a long story short I happened to use a restroom of one of the 5 stars in Gurgaon – keeping the name anonymous as they will hopefully take appropriate action and I am posting this just to make everyone aware and not for anything else. What followed is quite weird. I was walking and there was a bunch of cleaners whom I asked where the ladies room was. I followed the direction, while I was on a call with a friend. While inside the loo, I noticed a shadow near the door (you know the doors are cut from below) but then what I realised was that the shadow is not of anyones foot, but actually a man’s head. Well, yes a man was actually peeping inside the bathroom. I suddenly shouted and by the time I could get my thoughts together and get up to open the door I just saw someone closing the main door. I ran, even opened the mens washroom door (thinking he might have run there) but couldn’t catch him. When I look back I think I should have checked the washroom for the disabled which was right next door but I think I couldn’t think clearly. I obviously made noise, told my brother, told the authorities, they started checking the security cams – but they have a pillar or something blocking the view so nothing was found yet. I sat in the car and tears just started flowing – my brother tried to explain that there is no point of crying because of sick people – they are not worth it. I agree, but the tears came out of frustration, anger and helplessness.

My mom heard the whole incident and went on to say that now onwards 2 girls should go to the loo together – even in a 5 star! Of course a typical motherly reaction. But dude, where is our society going? How do I let my 4 year old niece even go to the park? How do I feel safe? Despite being born and brought up in this city – of being in love with it. Now suddenly I question my decision of staying here. Running away is no option. But the thought does cross my head.

This is just a sincere request to all girls to please beware and keep your eyes open. We are supposedly not safe anywhere. It’s a request to everyone to at least try and make a difference. It was a small incident for a lot of people but it has shaken me enough. I am still trying to get my head straight and get my thoughts together properly. Oh ya, weren’t we celebrating Women’s Day just 3 days ago?

But yes all I can say right now is Girls Beware & Aware – Everywhere!!