If we ask one whether bus came first or the bus-stop then if may be a tricky thing to answer. But if we ask whether these so called bus-stops are really proving to be worthy for the bus goers then the answer may be definitely no. If we look around we can find daily a wide section of commuters using the city transport as one of the major modes of transportation. So then why do these bus stops remain less crowded most of the time and why do women feel a bit unsafe in its shelter.

The question has raised several eyebrows in the social corridors and the reason for this was the harsh fact that these bus stops have been a centre of mischievous acts. Even in this culturally strong state of Kerala, where traditions and customs are the pillars of the society such public nuisance is a real apathy for the state.

If we move out to the real life and will take some pain to know the practical fact behind this issue we can find what all a women or a girl has to bear if she dares to stand in these bus stops. Let us take the example of Leena a college girl who daily travels in the over crowded private buses of the state. She is travelling in bus since her school days and now it has become a vital part of her life. But she still has fresh memories of the day she faced the nuisance of a group of rough guys. It all started by mere whistling, but soon took a wild shape and ended in verbal abuse. This is not the only case with a girl, it has happened to many such girls or women who do come across to these teasing incidents every day. But only few take a step forward to resist this uncivilised behaviour or voices against these indecent acts.

It is disheartening to know such thing still takes place in the age of women empowerment where women have over powered men in almost all departments. But we need to understand that our mother, wife, sister and daughter can be one among the above mentioned facing this wrath of these untamed youth for whom such things are just a moment of fun and nothing more than that. So if one needs to change this social evil existing in our so called ‘culture enriched Kerala’ we all have to draw at least some yard stick for our own self and should make sure that no such acts shall malign our age old traditions and cultural values.

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