The Blank Noise Project

The pink dupatta which was as smooth and flowing as the satin just about an hour back was torn, stained and soiled, lying on the road. So was Anjali. Bruised, battered, "reduced", victimised and brutally gang-raped. Not to mention the cigarette burns on her otherwise flawless skin. The eighteen year old bundle of joy and vivacity was bundled out, reduced to nothingness. She was a living corpse. People shunned Anjali, treated her with total disregard and branded her -"Her values and ethics are skewed". No, it wasnt the bipasha-ish mini skirt. Remember, I mentioned the dupatta?
And the society conveniently shifts the blame on girls for the lusty leer , the assault, the "unwanted" touch, the cat call oozing nothing but cheap lewdness, the deliberate bristle in town buses and trains, the obcene comments wafting across the lanes,the molestation "Provocative and body-hugging, figure-revealing clothes. Girls "ask" for it. Now that "this" has happened, Cant really help the case.."- So they assertively say. They are the "analysts". Very very reasonable and rational, aint it? To hell with the societal mental frame, it's NAUSEATING. Salwar suits, if you did know are not skimpy.The society places the victim on the wrong side of the stick and gets away with it too!
When will the dads stop muttering prayers when their daughter ventures out a little later than six in the evening? Will the hot-blooded youth ever realise that it's NOT their birth-right? Branded,"the weaker sex"- Will this sick myth be shattered? And a million more questions..Abuse, in any form just doesnt list itself under the umbrella of "Law and order issies". It's an evil to be undressed, stripped off. Measures are taken, no denying that. Not in the least effective, sorry to say, "It" seems to be on a monotonic increase.

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The Mediocre Adoloscent

Priya's mom was shuttling in and out of the balcony every two minutes. Her eyes brimming with eagerness.. Priya was coming home after a good three months, after her first stay away from home, away from all the molly-coddling and the pampering. Joined the insti, filled with loads of apprehensions and mixed feelings, her situation comparing well with the dancing flame of a candle. "Will I be able to stay away.. Will I make new buddies.. Will I be "accepted" in the gang.." and many questions such as this. There she was at the start of the lane leading to her apartment. She had changed. Didnt look like "the mommy's kid" anymore. " Pri! It's been so long dear. How have you been.. You seem to be dieting? you look so skinny dear.. How are you.. come on, give me a hug.. ah.. how I missed you all along, those petty quarrels and arguments.. dear, you look pale.." "Oh mom.. crap.. stop boring me, will you? I need to talk to Smriti." Not so warm words from the mommy's kid. Mom doesnt stop. 'have a look at the new designer suits i got for you, all your favourite shades..".. " YUCK! mom, your taste sucks. Oh, please, dont trouble yourself with all this, like I asked you to get stuff? I am old enough to get them myself. Now, can you leave me in peace?" To suffer the brunt of ignominy from her daughter, who was, not long ago, was always behind her for everything.. Priya's indifference came as a shock.
Monosyllable answering to parents.. The disinterested tone of talking.. "Oh, please extrapolate from the past" kind of comments.. Rubbishing WHATEVER they say.. "Am cool and you dont interfere" kind of attitude.. Spending lesser time with them.. "ah, i know this, am not a kid !" and many more like this laced with arrogance.. disdain..
The ubiquitous traits of the mediocre adoloscent. Wonder what brings in this sick paradigm shift. Difference of opinions is understandable. The cliched generation gap does exist. But when it does get overboard, It's SICK.
More on this later..