The Mumbai locals (Railways) may be the lifeline for millions in the City of dreams, but they also happen to be the bane of the lives of its travellers, especially the women. Imagine travelling in crowded compartments, from far flung suburbs, to work and back, spending almost four hours doing so each day.
Now, add to that the everyday torture and harassment by perverts who pass lewd comments, molest, harass without a fear in the world, and no one to guard you, or assist you in fighting the rowdies off!
A nightmare, isn’t it?
Law enforcement officers often (sadly) turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to the protests and the complaints made by some women who gather the courage to come forward. So, whom do they turn to? Or, do they go about their lives, living in fear each time they step onto the train?
Fortunately, for them, there are a few brave hearts , who put their lives at risk and come forward to help. They know what it must be like being at the receiving end of all the abuse. They have female family members/friends who travel and complain about the daily fight they have to put up with.
Like Mr. Dipesh Tank, from Mumbai. The man, who has taken it upon himself to nab molesters in Mumbai local trains and do his bit to help the police.
DIpesh, who began working at an early age, saw how perverts teased and harassed women in local trains. It reminded him of his mother who had to travel at odd hours to work. And, that’s when he decided to do something to help.
He bought a special pair of glasses with built-in HD video recording camera to record and nab the perpetrators and report to the police. He began a campaign in 2013 along with his friends, WARR (War Against Railway Rowdies) and collected evidence to present to the police.
In the past six months, the police nabbed around 140 eve-teasers, all thanks to Dipesh’s efforts.
It is not an easy task Dipesh has set out to do. But, he persists in doing it, each day, every day. The one thing he rues, though, is women’s reluctance to come forward and file a complaint, or raise a voice each time they fall prey to the molesters which encourages the perverts to carry on with their sickening ways.
Do read the story of the brave man who helps Mumbai police to nab eve-teasers here.
Damyanti Biswas co-hosts the We Are The World Blogfest on the last Friday of every month to share a snippet of positive news that shows our essential, beautiful harmony, and restore our faith in humanity.
Do join in with a real life story that speaks of something positive in a world that can be quite a scary place with all the negativity we see around.
Image source: Google
This is quite a story! Indeed there are lots of women who will benefit from this . Thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t it? If only more people came forward and did their bit towards society, the world would be a better place!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story with ya, Shilpa! We definitely need more such people to ensure women can continue to travel safely in the many other cities of India.
LikeLiked by 1 person
True, Esha. That’s the kind of men we need to change the impression we have of them, and feel safer in our lives, in our world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I heard Dipesh’s interview on Mirchi Love 104 FM a few days ago. He is doing a commendable job. More power to him and may his tribe increase. Thanks for joining us for this edition of #WATWB, Shilpa 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh really? I read about him in the papers some days ago and was bowled over by what he is doing.
May his tribe increase!
LikeLike
140 eve teasers all due to Dipesh’s help, wow! India needs so many more Dipesh to help our public transport and system become safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Isn’t that awesome, Jhilmil? How safe our society will be if many more such brave hearts come forward to help..It will motivate the women to fight back, too!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Natasha Musing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Natasha! 🙂
❤
LikeLike
Dipesh is a very dear friend of mine. And He is doing such a commendable job. More power to him and may his tribe increase.
My post: https://natashamusing.com/2017/11/joy-sorrow-monday-musings/
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world is sure a small place, Natasha! It is such a wonderful thing to know that the person I blogged about is someone who is known to my blogger friend!
True, he is indeed doing a commendable job! More power to him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We need more individuals like him to stand up for justice–it is heartening to see men like Dipesh come forward. Thanks for sharing his story, Shilpa!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, yes, Damyanti….We so need more men like him. Our world will be a much safer and a better place to live in!
Thank you so much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I keep thinking about the “heroes” our culture and media tend to worship – football players, movie characters, etc. but I believe people like Mr. Dipesh Tank are the true heroes. Thank you for honoring him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are so right, JoAnna! It is heroes like Dipesh who need to be applauded for the work they do, selflessly. The day I read his story in the newspaper, I decided I would definitely share it with everyone on my blog.
Thank you for visiting, JoAnna!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re undergoing our own revolution in thought here in the States with women (and, hopefully, men) pointing at abusers and harassers and saying, “No more!” I hope the trend continues and we can keep dragging these perverts into the light so we can see them all as the pathetic people they are.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perverts need to be dragged out in the open and thrashed. But, it’s mostly the fear associated with them that stops us from doing so. We should be grateful we have people like Mr. Tank who help in nabbing these beasts and teaching them a lesson.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They rely on that fear to keep doing what they do. As soon as it becomes dangerous for them, they’ll have to learn a harsh lesson in consequences.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very true.
LikeLiked by 1 person
An absolute hero. Seriously, these people all need to be showcased and I’m glad to see so many heroes being featured this #Watwb
LikeLiked by 1 person
We really need to read and share about these heroes, and I am glad we have this #WATWB as the perfect platform for doing it. It’s heartening to know that there are some good people amidst us, who go out of their way to help their fellow citizens.
LikeLike
Dipesh sounds like a brave soul with a caring heart. So many women are fearful of pointing out their abusers because of the way society either turns a blind eye or reacts as if they are somehow to blame for being the victim of someone else’s perversion. I hope he never gives up his fight to bring as many to justice as is in his power.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is indeed a brave soul, considering he is putting his life at risk as he goes about his work of tracking perverts. I hope women find the courage to come out to assist him in his fight, and speak up against the abuse.
Thank you for visiting! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
May his tribe increase! And importantly may ALL help Dipesh in his efforts to get the perverts off the streets and trains. Kudos to him! Thanks for a great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is heartwarming, indeed, to find the common man risking his life, putting society before himself. I hope more men find inspiration to do the same, and help make our society safer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kudos to Dipesh Tank and his WARR campaign as he fights the good fight! May this initiative grow from strength to strength!
On a daily basis, the word ‘hero’ is applied to famous individuals who are in the spotlight! Thank you for introducing us to Mr. Dipesh Tank, a TRUE hero!
Writer In Transit
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s just what we wish for, too, that may his initiative strengthen by the day, and many more join his campaign. He is a hero in the truest sense!
LikeLike
Very well written Shilpa and read about Dipesh on social media. He is doing such a good work and writers like you who spreading awareness to such a noble cause.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We so need to spread such kind of news, VIshal, that is full of positivity and hope. 90% of the news we read every morning is full of negativity and misery happening around us. News of such real life heroes give hope that all’s not lost.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is doing a marvelous job, putting himself at risk each time. Kudos to him and hope he inspires many more such fighters. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Inderpreet. That’s what I too feel each time I think about it, that many more follow in his footsteps. It will sure help us change our perception of men!
Thank you for visiting! 🙂
LikeLike
I would love to get those glasses.They can help in a lot of ways.This man is doing great work at a lot of risk ti himself.We need to learn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, Amrita! The risk involved is too much. WIsh more men would follow!
Thank you for visiting! 🙂
LikeLike
Reblogged this on dramrita…apartment therapy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Amrita! 🙂
LikeLike
More power to him and other men who bravely do the right thing. May they prosper and may their numbers increase.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think every one who reads about such heroes has similar emotions – that may their tribe increase and may they prosper!
Thank you for visiting, Alana!
LikeLike