Ladies Only.

Anybody who has been to Mumbai knows about the "BEST" buses are the 2nd best mode of public transport in Mumbai after the local trains. I personally think buses are the best way getting to know the city, for these buses navigate into the remotest corners of the city that many are not even aware of. I used to jump into a bus and float around the city getting to know it better, that is before the grueling traffic jams started or the never ending process of constructing bridges, flyovers, sky walks, undergrounds, metros and what  not began.

Earlier it used to like hop into the bus sit wherever you want except for the seats reserved for senior citizens or the handicapped. Which is only right. Gradually with growing awareness (don't know if it is the right word) or the guilt over over having treated women badly over the years, few seats were reserved especially for women. Isn't it surprising, it the largest democracy women, need reservation in a bus, imagine what happens in everyday life. So as of today, 6 double seats (12) are reserved for women besides, senior citizens, and the handicapped. As it is women in India have had to fight for their rights and be excepted as equals to men, and the fight continues for many. The irony is, men seem to think that the women are now to use only those 12 seats reserved for them and not sit anywhere. Men seem to think that besides the designated seats the rest of the bus reserved for them.There signs indicating seats reserved for women even then they go and sit there and when asked to move they fight, bicker, argue, taunt, comment and lech at women who defy them. What they fail to understand is it is their inability to respect women and offer them a seat, even if it is a 80 year old lady struggling to a foot hold in that swaying bus which has prompted the system to take this step of reserving seats for women. 

I accept that all men are not jerks, some promptly get up when women walk in, while some others get up when their folly is pointed out, but these guys are new to the city or it just happened by mistake. What bugs is when haughty guys look at you as if saying you are young why can't stand? The cutest part is, it is the older men especially those in their 70's & 80's who actually give their seats to women and not the younger guys. This happened couple of times with me, where get into the bus all hassled & harrowed after a wrestling match to get into the and getting out of it alive. But, I let them sit, they don't have to be chivalrous at this stage in their life, it is only really nice of them. 

Why is it difficult for men in India to accept that women are as human as they are, yes we a different, but that is true of guys too. No 2 men are alike. Why can't they just let women be?

I think this entry of mine has turned into a women's lib piece, though that was not the intention. It is just that I wanted to put it down in writing.A woman in India, even in a city like Mumbai, especially in a city like Mumbai, has fight battles everyday. She is expected to excel in everything, it is these few minutes of journey by train or bus, the breeze in her face she feels happy. But even that is taken away now with reserved seats on the bus, cause every woman wants to be the first to get to the ladies' seat or else it is long journey on your feet.