Women Safety in Indore - striving for a secure environment in the city.
What a wonderful sight it would be where all females are respected, treated equally and they could have the freedom to stay out late and still stay safe. Despite all the advancements that our society has managed to gain, we still prefer to preach women about how they should dress appropriately and how they should avoid staying out late, instead of focusing on how, ideally, they shouldn’t even think twice before doing what they want to do. Indore sadly was ranked as the 6th most unsafe city for women in 2016, based on the reports by the National Crime Record Bureau. After these reports, the Indore administration has tried its best to alleviate crime against women in the city. Indore is a hub of education and IT companies, with fast-growing immigration of people from all over the country, for employment and education opportunities. As compared to before, the city has seen major improvements in the security and safety of its citizens. Although the city stays alive till 11 p.m., after that still, the police patrol in the crime-prone areas of the city. Streetlights in every major part of the city are regularly maintained and kept in proper working conditions.
Indore Police recently released a women safety tips index, stating various cautions that women should take while traveling or staying out late at night. The list also has precautions for female tourists who come to the city. They are advised to stay alert and be cautious regarding strangers, avoid sharing their itinerary to unknown people, keeping hotel doors locked and making sure that it’s not very obvious that you are new to the city. Indore also has ‘Mahila Thanas’, which is a police station, dedicated solely for women’s complaints. Only lady officers are appointed so that it’s convenient for women to lodge complaints, without any hesitation or fear. It’s certain that the city administration has become serious about the matters of safety of women. With the city mayor, Mrs. Malini Gour and the Senior Superintendent of Police Smt. Ruchi Vardhan Mishra, both being women, there’s a positive hope that the matters of women safety shall be kept to the forefront amongst other major issues of the city.
Free press journal held a survey in which they conversed with a section of outstation girls, who are in the city for education or jobs, regarding the issue of safety; they held a unanimous opinion that the city of Indore is much safer as compared to other cities. Another brand new initiative that our smart city has started is an all-women cab service from the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport of Indore, with the assistance of a local NGO. The cab service is named Sakha Cab Service, providing promising employment for women from low-income groups to earn a livelihood. The all-women staff is trained and managed by the NGO, with proper driving licenses and providing services to women round the clock. It’s a modern initiative that shall boost tourism and a positive image of the city and will help the women to travel freely without any worries. The taxis are also equipped with panic buttons that can be accessed by both the driver and the passengers, connected to the main server of the service provider, and providing quick response in situations of panic.
Indore is rising with full speed, being surrounded by companies and education hubs, and heading fast on the track of being a metro city. In such a state, it is essential that we shall not compromise with the true essence of our city. We’ll keep it clean, friendly and safe for anybody who comes here. Our city has excelled in cleanliness, now it’s time for us to make sure that it’s safe for women and for each and every person that keeps a foot in Indore.
You can mention your views and ideas about the stand of safety in Indore in the comments section. Keep tuned to Indore Talk for interesting news and happenings of our city.
Article By: Umme Salma Saifee
