Somewhere over the Suez Canal, June 15, 2014
The last two months I spent in Delhi – the first prolonged
duration since 2008, I felt I had skipped over a lot of transformations that
had happened in Delhi the last 6 years. Since I don’t know that many people in
Delhi anymore, my observations came from public places like malls and streets.
Girls were no longer afraid to wear shorts skirts or bandeau dresses as I once
had been (or still am) in New Delhi, in fear of inviting lecherous glances, and
an increased probability of rape. Please note though there has been no
empirical study of the victims clothing type in rape cases. Though I wish we
never have a big enough sample to do this study.
Coming back to backless halters. I must salute all the women
of Delhi who have decided to throw away the veil of traditional clothing and
discretion with abandon, not giving a hoot to what others might say. Now that
is kicking clichéd and archaic sayings in the balls which come from the gut of
rotting old misogyny. Sayings like “Girls who dress like this [ Insert
miniskirt/shorts or other such clothing suitable to Delhi heat here] are not
good girls and our boy should not marry such girls” and sayings like “ she is a
whore since she is dressed like that”.
So congratulations once again girls, for throwing a balloon
of many fucks not given in this direction.
While my observation ended, my introspection began here. I
hoped that this change is not only outward, but also accompanied by a
transformation within onself. A catharsis where a 21-year-old girl decides to
question her parents as to why she must get married now? A change where a girl
who decides not to wed is strong enough to withstand the character
assassinations that may come her way just like she battled the guy who looked
at her maliciously when she wore that maxi dress. A transformation where a girl
makes her own rules, just like she wears clothes which she chooses herself and
not ones chosen for her by the society. I hope that as the hems of skirts get
shorter, the dreams grow bigger, grander. I wish that as she fills her wardrobe
with her favorite accessories, bikinis, and dresses, she makes up her mind to
move beyond the life created by her society, and explores the myriad of beautiful,
fulfilling paths that don’t all lead to a college degree attained solely to
attract a suitable husband.
