 |
| captured from my cellphone:) |
Dipesh Tank has started a movement called WARR-
War Against Railway Rowdies. An initiative to address safety issues of girls
and women. I am glad to have come across a young man who dared to think
differently, instead of being a passive spectator, of what he observed at the
railway station, watching the rowdies passing comments on women and belittling
them, he decided to do something to create safety for women in commuting in
trains. Instead of blaming the system he
evolved a movement. In December 2013 the
volunteers assisted the Railway Officials in dealing with the hooligans in trains
in order to make travel safe for women.
According to the survey conducted by Dipesh 85
% of the women feel unsafe at the station, vulnerable to regular sexual harassment.
Dipesh hails from a humble background where his mother is his role model, and
had a great influence on his thinking, it was she who inculcated in him to value
and respect women. Being a college dropout due to poor financial conditions, he
continued to learn and helped his mother by taking up low paying jobs. He
worked hard and with grit and determination helped his mother and brother and
gained financial health, which led him to move from a small place to Mallad
where he could live in flat.
One day he was woken up by his mother with the
news of seven bomb blast in the train within 11 minutes. He immediately took
his brother and responded to the situation by helping the passengers who were
hurt, thus volunteered to shift them to hospitals. Both he and his brother
helped the victims and the staff couldn’t handle and this experience helped him
to initiate an Non Governmental Organization called Youth for People, that
rescued citizens who need help.
Dipesh was beaten up many times by groups of
eve-teasers, but he and his friends believed that that there is another fight
for freedom and freedom for women to travel without fear.
When he was applauded, he made the following
statement
“I am
not a superhero. I am human too. I get tired at times … I want people to stop
applauding and start doing it themselves. I dream of a day when I can let go a
fight against eve-teasing because there will be enough people to fight against
it,” Dipesh
You
may read further on these links:
You are most welcome to participate in this, here are the
guidelines:
1
Make a
post below 500 words
2
Link to
a human news story on your blog, one that shows love, humanity and brotherhood,
telling us why it touched you. Its important to link as it helps the reader
look through the news to find positives ones to post.
3
No story is too big or small, as long as it goes Beyond religion and politics, into the core of
humanity.
4. Place the WE ARE THE WORLD badge or banner on
your Post and your sidebar
5. Help us spread the word on social media,
tweet, share using the #WATB hastag to help us trend.
Appreciate
the co-hosts of this month, Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, Damyanti Biswas and Guilie Castillo. ,
May this post inspire us to spread light in
darkness!!
Dipesh is a real life hero. What he said about people doing their bit in helping and supporting is so right. More power to him. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story, Genevive!
ReplyDeleteTrue shilpa ! his story is a reminder for all of us to do our bit. Appreciate you for being the co host, and thanks for stopping by:)
DeleteWhat an inspirational story of strength, courage and doing what's right. Thank you for sharing this. #WATWB
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, and am glad you found this story inspiring:)
DeleteGreat story about a wonderful man
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, yes I agree its a great story..
Delete'Raise better boys at home and the world will know far fewer disrespectful men' - this is a wonderful story Genevive. As Dipesh said, he imagined his mother being harassed. He is a hero yet, as he says. he was doing the right thing - and we each can do the right thing. Thank you, this is truly inspiring!
ReplyDeleteYes! Yes, yes, YES!
DeleteSo True Susan, parenting is such an important aspect that influences positively in the way boys perceive girls/women. I am glad to be part of sharing some light in darkness and yes I do believe each of us have a responsibility in doing our bit.
Delete"I want people to stop applauding and start doing it themselves"—he nailed it, didn't he? All activists around the world feel the same way, but I've never heard it put so succinctly, stated so clearly. Kudos to him for the initiative, and for all he's done to make it grow and spread; let us take up the challenge and make safety a reality for women (and people) everywhere.
ReplyDeleteExcellent choice for the #WATWB! Thanks for joining us :)
Guilie @ Quiet Laughter
Thank you friend for your compliments:) it means a lot, and appreciate you for the encouraging words... there is so much we can do, when we look around, loved the way dipesh created safe spaces for women. I am inspired by his mom who has instilled in him the values of respect and courage to stand by what he believed.
DeleteHi Genevieve - thank you so much for highlighting Dipesh for us ... wonderful to read the thought process of protecting the women and helping them travel more safely. A lovely initiative to start up - long may it last and may many learn from his leadership here - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletewelcome here Hilary:) and thanks for your comments, happy to know that you found Dipesh initiative wonderful.... there is a lot more to be done especially when we talk of protecting women; glad to do a little bit and hopefully many more are already working for empowering women.. thanks again for your thoughts.
DeleteTales of such every-day heroes is what #WATWB is all about. Thanks for sharing this story with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you Damayanti for your presence here, I am honored to be part of this initiative:)
DeleteIn my country of Australia many members of my extended family worked in jobs associated with trains. To us, the thought of anyone, let alone women or children, feeling uncomfortable, even harassed, on a train, is just abhorrent. Good for for Dipesh, his mother, and an others who carry on his work. Thank you for sharing and being part of our WATWB.
ReplyDelete