Better safe than..

Was just reading the gory details of Hetal Parekh rape and murder case..
The rapist was accosting Hetal for some days and she had complained to her mom. Her mom had got the lift attendant transferred to another building. He went to Hetal's apartment when she was alone and had told another security guard that he needed to make a phone.

All the girls out there,
Please dont open the door unless you know the person. Else call your neighbour over. It is okay to be labeled as someone who got scared over nothing.

Long time after my mom's family shifted, we had visited that area. My mom n granny were nostalgic and wished to see their old home. We went to the home, and the parents of the girl had gone out. She called her neighbour over, who came over with a couple of dogs and only then she opened the door for us. Of course at that time, the unknown people entering her home were a family of 2 kids, their parents and granny; still its always wise to be careful. As portrayed in the movie Changeling, anti-social elements may gang up with kids to force others to let their guard down.

If someone asks to use the phone, you dont need to open the door. Tell him/her to give you the number, you call and say that you can pass on the message. 

If you are biking/ walking alone, its better to take the main road than the sleepy bylanes.

Parents and teachers, please..its high time we teach our kids to differentiate "good touch" and "bad touch". There is nothing wrong in raising your voice if you feel uncomfortable in a situation. Most "bad touches" come from someone you know, and kids need to be taught that its not their fault and they need to report it.

Me and my friend were travelling in a bus, and the old guy behind us started getting touchy. My friend stamped on his foot hard. When that didnt help either, she raised her voice enough to let the whole bus know, and asked the guy to keep his hands to himself. In a situation like this, a group psychology is to help.

To Parents, it is okay to ask your kids not to open the door to remote uncles or cousins or electricians or repair-wallahs or whoevers if they are alone. The Indian family concept and extending your welcoming door is okay, but not at the cost of your kids safety. Either ask your neighbour to come over, or dont open the door.

My family taught me not to send anyone away without atleast giving them water. Nothing wrong in  passing a bisleri bottle to the unknown wo/man through the grilled door.

After doing every household chore for the past 2 yrs, I now know that we can do without kaamwali baais. I noticed a slow change in the maids' attitudes post Ekta-Kapoor-super-rich-serials. We even have had one maid just flicking something and taking it with her. When it was noticed and we asked her about it - she simply said that she took it because we have too many of those! Why have kaamwaalis unnecessarily for them to hold grudges against you for purported low wages or you catching them red-handed or for sacking them?