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Correspondent

23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Deadly Commute

Mumbai has always taken pride in its local trains, which have been celebrated as the city’s lifeline. It has long been a democratic institution that carries millionaires and labourers alike, and a symbol of the resilience that Mumbaikars so often boast about. The brutal murder of a 22-year-old passenger inside a moving local has exposed a darker reality. The city’s most cherished public service is no longer merely overcrowded and uncomfortable but is becoming steadily unsafe. The victim,...

Deadly Commute

Mumbai has always taken pride in its local trains, which have been celebrated as the city’s lifeline. It has long been a democratic institution that carries millionaires and labourers alike, and a symbol of the resilience that Mumbaikars so often boast about. The brutal murder of a 22-year-old passenger inside a moving local has exposed a darker reality. The city’s most cherished public service is no longer merely overcrowded and uncomfortable but is becoming steadily unsafe. The victim, travelling in a first-class compartment of a Churchgate-Nallasopara fast local, became embroiled in an argument over whether the train door should be kept open during heavy rain. The disagreement escalated into fatal violence after the accused pulled out a knife and stabbed him in the abdomen. As blood pooled on the floor of the compartment, passengers merely stood there watched in horror. A video of the aftermath showed the alleged killer walking away with the weapon in hand without anybody stopping him. For years, a rough but effective social order prevailed in the Mumbai local train. While commuters may have jostled for space and exchanged harsh words, there remained an unwritten code of conduct for keeping outright criminality at bay. Mumbai’s trains have long been dangerous in one sense. Every year, hundreds die while crossing tracks, hanging from footboards or falling from overcrowded coaches. But passengers rarely feared being murdered inside the compartment itself. S Even more troubling was the reaction of those present. The footage suggests that dozens of passengers chose self-preservation over intervention. While few citizens would willingly confront an armed attacker, the images nonetheless reveal a growing atomisation of urban life. Millions travel together every day, but increasingly as strangers who feel no responsibility towards one another. Mumbai’s famed collective spirit has now become a slogan repeated only after disasters rather than a reality visible in everyday life. The authorities, too, have questions to answer. How did an individual carrying a knife manage to board and travel through one of the busiest suburban rail networks in the world? Why does visible security remain so sparse despite years of promises about surveillance, modernisation and passenger safety? The Railways have invested heavily in technology, announcements and infrastructure upgrades. Yet commuters continue to encounter inadequate policing and an absence of deterrence. The larger concern is cultural. Across India’s cities, there is evidence of rising public aggression. Minor disagreements increasingly escalate into violence. Road-rage incidents, neighbourhood disputes and social-media-fuelled confrontations frequently end in bloodshed. Patience, compromise and restraint appear to be in retreat. Mumbai likes to imagine itself as different from the rest of India. The local train murder suggests otherwise. A city is judged not by its skyline but by the safety of its ordinary spaces. When passengers can no longer assume that they will return home alive from a routine train journey, something fundamental has gone wrong.

More Than One Day: Celebrating Womanhood Every Day        

A woman does not need a special day to prove her worth. She is a celebration in herself.

Just a few days ago, we celebrated Holi, the beautiful festival of colours—streets filled with laughter, faces bright with colour, and hearts light with joy. Around the same time, we also observe International Women’s Day, honouring women for their strength, sacrifices, and achievements.


On this day, women are made to feel special. They celebrate their womanhood and remind the world they are no less capable than anyone else.


But the real question is: Is celebrating womanhood on just one day enough? Should appreciation, respect, and self-love be limited to a date on the calendar, or should a woman celebrate herself every day?


The truth is that every life has some void—love, recognition, companionship, opportunity, or understanding may be missing. Such gaps are part of being human; no life is perfectly complete. What matters is how we live despite those missing pieces.


A woman must never let emptiness make her bitter. She should not allow loneliness or disappointment to close her heart. Instead, she should fill her life with colour—just as Holi fills the world with colour. Her life itself should become a festival of colours.


Embracing Every Role with Grace

A woman plays many roles in life—as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, teacher, guide, and nurturer. Each carries responsibility but also great beauty.


The secret to emotional peace lies in fulfilling these roles without heavy expectations. When we expect too much from others, we often invite disappointment.


Simple Philosophies

A few simple philosophies can transform life:


Zero expectations, zero disappointment — When a woman gives love, care, and effort sincerely without constantly seeking appreciation or validation, she experiences inner freedom. Her happiness no longer depends on others’ reactions.


Dignity and self-respect must remain intact — while giving love and fulfilling duties, a woman must never compromise her self-respect. Kindness should never be mistaken for weakness, and being loving does not mean tolerating humiliation.


A woman must remember three principles:

• Never allow anyone to disrespect your dignity.

• Never shrink yourself to make others comfortable.

• Never lower your worth to meet someone else’s expectations.


How a Woman Can Maintain Her Dignity Every Day

Maintaining dignity is not about pride or ego. It is about quiet confidence and self-awareness. Here are some simple but powerful ways:


1. Know Your Self-Worth: A woman should recognise her value. Her worth is not defined by someone's approval, relationship status, or external validation. When you know your worth, you naturally carry yourself with grace.


2. Set Healthy Boundaries: Boundaries protect emotional energy. Saying “no” when something feels uncomfortable is not rude—it is self-respect.


3. Speak with Calm Confidence: A dignified woman does not need to shout to prove her point. She communicates clearly, respectfully, and firmly.


4. Protect Your Emotional Peace: Not every argument deserves your response. Sometimes dignity lies in walking away from negativity.


5. Continue Growing: A woman who keeps learning, evolving, and improving herself radiates confidence and strength.


Celebrating Yourself Daily

Celebrating womanhood is not about grand gestures but small daily habits that nurture the mind, heart, and soul.


Appreciate Yourself: Acknowledge your efforts and celebrate small victories. Self-appreciation builds confidence.


Spend Time With Yourself: Solitude is not loneliness; it helps you understand yourself better.


Do What Brings Joy: Reading, music, exercise, cooking, travel, or creative hobbies—make time for what nourishes your soul.


Care for Your Health: Women often care for others first, but physical and mental well-being must also be a priority.


Be Independent at Any Age: Independence brings dignity, confidence, and security—and it is never too late to develop it.


Emotional Independence: Do not rely entirely on others for emotional stability; learn to manage your feelings and find inner strength.


Financial Independence: Even a small income builds confidence and the freedom to make choices.


Mental Independence: Think for yourself. Read, learn, and stay curious.


Physical Independence: Stay active, exercise, and care for your health so you can live energetically at any age.


A Personal Reflection

Like everyone, my life has seen ups and downs—challenges, lessons, growth, and change.


Today I feel complete, not because life is perfect, but because I have learned to embrace my journey and value every step of it.


I take pride in my work, the effort I give, and the strength my experiences have shaped. My journey speaks for itself.


That is how I celebrate my womanhood—quietly, gracefully, and confidently. A woman does not need a special day to prove her worth. She is a celebration in herself.


(The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

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