This incident happened a little over an year. After meeting my college friends, I had to stop at a relative's place before returning back home. I was pressed to stay longer than expected. My uncle promised to drop me home though I insisted on using a public transport. As promised, they started driving me back. I didn't want to trouble them as our home was quite far from theirs and he had to attend work the next day morning.
After driving for a couple of kilometers, I spotted a bus that goes all the way to our colony. I convinced my uncle that I'll take the bus and be safe. I inquired the conductor about the bus route and which stop I had to get down to reach my destination. It was not until I got into the bus that I realized there were very few passengers and all of them got down gradually. This was the last trip for the bus that day.
The conductor figured that I was new to the place and started a conversation with me as to where I had to go. After I informed where exactly I had to go, I came to know that the bus isn't passing through the road I had to get down, due to road widening. However, I was told not to get down in the stop that would be the closest; as I had to take an auto from there. The conductor advised the bus driver to take a different turn to reach the depot so that I could have the shortest distance to walk to my home.
The conductor also advised not to take any auto or a bus other than a Government run service bus at that time of the hour. It was close to 11:00 PM. I could not thank enough the conductor that day and still feel a sense of gratitude for her, when I think of that night.
While walking home that night and later too, I felt the need for more and more women in public services! May be I would have been safe if there was a male conductor too, but for sure, he wouldn't have spoken of the safety measures the lady spoke to me. Of the caring and concerning talk she did with me. Instead I would get that look as why do you have to travel alone at this time of the hour and blame on the safeness of women? I salute her and all the women out there who have families to attend and are still performing their duties at odd hours, odd places with much care and concern for the sisterhood.
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Nice way to thank a kind lady conductor. Yes sometimes we feel very confident but later we do fear whether what we had done was correct. At least you reached home safely. It must have happened in India I suppose. In India you do have to be very careful, not that other countries are very.
ReplyDeleteI hope you would be careful in future, the best option is to stay back instead of taking such risks.
Yes, Rama, it was in India. You are right. Sometimes, we feel very confident but you never know what is in store. Next time, I damn will. :)
DeleteI salute her too. Some incidents remain etched in memory.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do. I am glad I finished the post finally..
DeleteOh yes we do need more women Latha. In Bangalore I used to always take the help of women conductors. Somehow I feel women have more dedication and empathy Or is it because I am a woman? Don't know
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Bhagya. I agree with you. Women in service are more empathetic than men. I say that may be because I am a woman too. I feel for those woman conductors who have to work in crowded buses scrubbed by some dirty men.
DeleteVery timely post Latha and am i glad that your conductor was a woman!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLook at all that is happening around us today --more women at job would certainly help but what if they were targeted?
I am not contradicting you but it is becoming more & more difficult to get away from these maniacs.
Only two days back a newly appointed lady constable was propositioned by her SHO.
Looking at the way things are happening, they could be targeted too..I just pray god they are safe out there. Seriously many times, these incidents make me lose faith in humans :(
DeleteGreat article, Latha. The emotions overwhelmed me!! But, you were lucky...
ReplyDeleteAfter the horrific gang rapes and murders, our cities have become totally unsafe for women. Kudos to the lady conductor!
Today, I would hate to travel alone at night....And indeed, we need more women to join hands...:)
I donno what to say, di. Yes, I was very lucky. Stars were on my side. In the same India trip, I faced another incident too..you can find it under 'Scribbles'. 'What's happening around us?'. Seriously, 50% of public jobs need reservations for woman.
DeleteThis must have happened long back.Things are different these days and newspapers are awash with bad news.You were lucky in having a woman conductor and a good one at that.
ReplyDeleteNot that long back, KP sir. It was in last April. In my India trip. Indeed I was lucky. That night was one I can't forget. Wherever she is, I wish that woman happiness and safety.
DeleteLatha, generally those who have a heart of gold find people of their kind coming to their assistance at odd times! I held my breath till I read the last line:)
ReplyDeleteYes,i too.
DeleteRahul sir, that was really kind of you. Thank you for those sweet words..btw, trying my hand at fiction...looks like I succeeded.. :P
DeleteThings might have been different with a male conductor.
ReplyDeleteSuch incidents remain at the back of your mind forever.
I bet...it might be as if I sat on thorns till I got home or who knows if I got home safely. Sure, they do Amit.
DeleteSure, it does. There is a sense of comfort with women around at odd places. There is some unknown secure feeling inside.
ReplyDeleteLatha, there are some GOOD people around us. Amidst all struggles and circumstances they can be singled out. Kudos to that lady conductor!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Usha ji. There are some very good people in fact. She seemed like a very ordinary being..she wasn't acting humble or anything..she was very normal in the way she talked to me.
DeleteIndeed there are times when one does feel a bit more comfortable being with a woman. I feel safer with a woman doctor as compared to male. And a woman taxi driver would feel nicer too.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely..no doubt in that. Not once, many times..there is a sense of relief with women around.
DeleteNice gesture on part of that lady. Kudos to her. Small acts will sometimes leave everlasting impacts in our minds.
ReplyDeleteYep. very true. These small acts go a long way in our lives.
Deletewow!! this was such an inspiring one. During at time when all one can think of is something wrong happening, something RIGHT actually happened. Here's to hoping that more women are seen walking around fearlessly at various times of the night...
ReplyDeleteI really wished that day will come soon :) Glad to see you back after a long time, Nirvana.
DeleteEven i always felt that if there are more women in job, everything will get better, but found that its not so..seen many women who are very arrogant,callous in their job and totally corrupt..so i think its not gender but person..
ReplyDeleteIt is true. Not gender, but person. However, it is not the same at all times, I believe. Especially when in situations like that, I believe there is a feeling of safeness with women around.
DeleteMy heart was racing when I started reading the post. I am glad that there are women in this profession too though I have never spotted one.
ReplyDeleteHehe...looks like I succeeded in my narration :) Come to Hyd once, there are plenty of women conductors in local buses :)
DeleteDown in Kerala, I see women at Petrol pumps and women traffic police....Wonder what all problems and lashings they face everyday. Lovely post this was!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. They do face a lot of problems than we all can really imagine. Welcome to my blog and thank you for stopping by. :)
DeleteWe can certainly do with more such women around. Hats off to them for performing their duties so well. Glad that you found her that day!
ReplyDeleteI also feel that way many times, shilpa. More women are needed. I wish I meet her one day again, though I don't remember her. Really, I was lucky. I think she was a god send messenger. How have you been? Long time no see.
DeleteShe was, indeed, brave to be working so late and kind to advice you about the safest way home. Glad you shared the story.
ReplyDeleteWelcome here, KayEm. :) I agree. She must be one caring responsible person. Wherever she is, I always pray for her safety.
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