With the end of all the excitement of coming to a new city, reality hit hard. I guess this is what they call absolute unfamiliarity.
Parents are proud. Friends, happy. A few, envious. They think its amazing to have the "freedom" that they crave.Well, this is what I wanted. This is all I wanted. To leave Chennai and live alone.
Things are very different from this side though.
I didnt realise that things would change so much when I waved goodbye to my huge family. Eleven of them had come to bid farewell. It just took a few days for the excitement to turn into confusion as I found myself absolutely lost in this city, whose language I didnt get.
The confusion turned into a whole range of emotions. Overwhelmed, I burst into tears. Unable to communicate what I wanted to, I was repeatedly charged extra by rickshaw drivers and vendors. The sense of powerlessness made me seem weak. Being thrown into the deep end, I am still grappling to get a hold of things.
To make things worse, the paranoia of being mugged, groped, molested or raped hovers like a ghost.
Would things have been easier if I were a guy in a city like Noida? Would the number of "be careful" calls be lesser then? Would I feel safer then?
For, nothing really happened (touchwood) but, the fear that something might made me choose to stay at home.
Finding a place to stay without any help was another battle.
"Is it safe for women?", "Would the landlord have issues with odd shifts?"
Rejected and not given accommodation as people are still wary of women working in media.
Have they forgotten that we are journalists who are trying our best to make this terrible place somewhat better?
Seems like they dont care.
"Media? Sorry madam. We are a traditional family. Search for an accommodation somewhere else."
Wait until your daughter grows up and wants to become a photographer or journalist. Wait until your granddaughter or neice wants to make documentaries in conflict regions.
I have found a place. Temporarily.
A home for the next few months probably.
Well, if one thinks this could send a girl home. To her calm city. NO. She isn't leaving until she understands this place. Noida it is. Until she gets bored of it.
Parents are proud. Friends, happy. A few, envious. They think its amazing to have the "freedom" that they crave.Well, this is what I wanted. This is all I wanted. To leave Chennai and live alone.
Things are very different from this side though.
I didnt realise that things would change so much when I waved goodbye to my huge family. Eleven of them had come to bid farewell. It just took a few days for the excitement to turn into confusion as I found myself absolutely lost in this city, whose language I didnt get.
The confusion turned into a whole range of emotions. Overwhelmed, I burst into tears. Unable to communicate what I wanted to, I was repeatedly charged extra by rickshaw drivers and vendors. The sense of powerlessness made me seem weak. Being thrown into the deep end, I am still grappling to get a hold of things.
To make things worse, the paranoia of being mugged, groped, molested or raped hovers like a ghost.
Would things have been easier if I were a guy in a city like Noida? Would the number of "be careful" calls be lesser then? Would I feel safer then?
For, nothing really happened (touchwood) but, the fear that something might made me choose to stay at home.
Finding a place to stay without any help was another battle.
"Is it safe for women?", "Would the landlord have issues with odd shifts?"
Rejected and not given accommodation as people are still wary of women working in media.
Have they forgotten that we are journalists who are trying our best to make this terrible place somewhat better?
Seems like they dont care.
"Media? Sorry madam. We are a traditional family. Search for an accommodation somewhere else."
Wait until your daughter grows up and wants to become a photographer or journalist. Wait until your granddaughter or neice wants to make documentaries in conflict regions.
I have found a place. Temporarily.
A home for the next few months probably.
Well, if one thinks this could send a girl home. To her calm city. NO. She isn't leaving until she understands this place. Noida it is. Until she gets bored of it.
I kind of understand, language plays a very important role, learning few verbs can go a long way..The situation about safety is a whole lot bigger and different issue, I agree with you, currently we have no other option than to be vigilant.
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