The Delhi gang-rape might have thrown the issue of women's safety into the spotlight, but it hasn't exactly dampened the spirits of the regular female party-goers in the City.
Partying gives them the much-needed break from their hectic lifestyles and most of them refuse to give up their freedom to move freely. However, they admit that they will now exercise a little more caution while they are outside.
These women, mostly in their early twenties, do what they can to feel secure while they're out partying. But they feel that the police force is not doing enough to ensure that women can move around fearlessly at night. Metrolife interacts with women who party regularly and asks them what safety precautions they are taking on their nights out.
The Bangalore City Police have doled out promises of heightened patrolling but in reality, this doesn't seem to be the case. Additional commissioner of police (law and order), T Suneel Kumar points out that more Hoysalas and Cheetahs are expected to hit the City's roads. "At present, there are 110 Hoysalas and 350 Cheetahs that will be moving around in the City during the day and night. The newly-launched 24-hour women's helpline will immediately attend to any problem that women may face anywhere in the City," says Suneel.
But women in the City are doing their bit too. Many are arming themselves with cans
of pepper spray and Swiss army knives, which they think come in handy when in trouble.
They're also careful not to stay out too late, ensure they have male company and dress appropriately when they're out.
Shruthi Prathima, an employee with Tesco, enjoys going to parties.
"I wouldn't miss a single opportunity to party — I love the music in pubs and meeting random people," she says and adds in the same breath, "but people must adhere to the dos and don'ts and pay attention to the rules, come what may."
Akshatha, a student, hasn't cut down on her partying either. "If it's late, then I get picked up by my parents. I always party at five-star hotels and go with a big bunch of friends. For me, safety has never really been an issue," she notes.
After the Delhi incident, Nazia Mujeeb, an IT professional and a regular party-goer, carries a Swiss army knife and a can of pepper spray in her bag.
She too makes sure she ventures out only in a big group. "I don't think it is safe for women to party too late. There's a bunch of us who go out regularly and now, we've decided to bring in some changes to the way we dress. Even if we are wearing something short or a sleeveless top, we always make sure we carry a jacket," confesses Nazia.
But much needs to be done by the Bangalore City Police to ensure that women can venture out at any hour, without fear.
Partying gives them the much-needed break from their hectic lifestyles and most of them refuse to give up their freedom to move freely. However, they admit that they will now exercise a little more caution while they are outside.
These women, mostly in their early twenties, do what they can to feel secure while they're out partying. But they feel that the police force is not doing enough to ensure that women can move around fearlessly at night. Metrolife interacts with women who party regularly and asks them what safety precautions they are taking on their nights out.
The Bangalore City Police have doled out promises of heightened patrolling but in reality, this doesn't seem to be the case. Additional commissioner of police (law and order), T Suneel Kumar points out that more Hoysalas and Cheetahs are expected to hit the City's roads. "At present, there are 110 Hoysalas and 350 Cheetahs that will be moving around in the City during the day and night. The newly-launched 24-hour women's helpline will immediately attend to any problem that women may face anywhere in the City," says Suneel.
But women in the City are doing their bit too. Many are arming themselves with cans
of pepper spray and Swiss army knives, which they think come in handy when in trouble.
They're also careful not to stay out too late, ensure they have male company and dress appropriately when they're out.
Shruthi Prathima, an employee with Tesco, enjoys going to parties.
"I wouldn't miss a single opportunity to party — I love the music in pubs and meeting random people," she says and adds in the same breath, "but people must adhere to the dos and don'ts and pay attention to the rules, come what may."
Akshatha, a student, hasn't cut down on her partying either. "If it's late, then I get picked up by my parents. I always party at five-star hotels and go with a big bunch of friends. For me, safety has never really been an issue," she notes.
After the Delhi incident, Nazia Mujeeb, an IT professional and a regular party-goer, carries a Swiss army knife and a can of pepper spray in her bag.
She too makes sure she ventures out only in a big group. "I don't think it is safe for women to party too late. There's a bunch of us who go out regularly and now, we've decided to bring in some changes to the way we dress. Even if we are wearing something short or a sleeveless top, we always make sure we carry a jacket," confesses Nazia.
But much needs to be done by the Bangalore City Police to ensure that women can venture out at any hour, without fear.