A girl walks on the road wearing a long dress that fits her snugly.
A second girl looks at her clothes longingly, mentally comparing it with her own loose, unflattering clothes.
An old man ogles, his eyes resting in places they shouldn’t. A young guy wolf-whistles, while another touches her backside ‘accidently’.
So, a couple of old women begin gossiping among themselves about the vices of unashamed modern girls who invite rapists to themselves.
The second girl groans inwardly, hiding her longing to be free to dress…
Short Stories | Fish-eye Perspective 
Heyy! I hope you are doing well. I am here to inform you that I have nominated you for the Aesthete Blogger Award💐. I have been a frequent reader of your blog and I really love your write-ups. If your blog is award free then there’s no issue at all, just do accept my appreciation!❤
Have a Wonderful Day. Keep shining🌟
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Thank you, Aditi. I have seen you often and I’m always happy to write. So, please let me how I can do it?
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You have to create a separate post like I did, answer four of my questions (it’s in the link), nominate 7 people and follow the other rules.
Here’s the link to my post from which you can take help:
https://aditianvita1.wordpress.com/2021/06/24/aesthete-blogger-award/
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Great post Shaily. Crazy that a woman has to fear what a man may think, let alone do because of what she chooses to wear. Even worse that women actually live in fear. We have had lots of time boys, time to sort ourselves out huh?
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Thanks Colin. I think it is a cultural thing. Most of us are trying to teach girls to be confident unlike old days. but we aren’t teaching our boys to be treat women with respect. most men grow up watching their fathers abuse their mothers. they wouldn’t know better
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Global problem I think Shaily. Hidden better in some places, but the attitude is so ingrained. Perhaps things are starting to change. I certainly hope so.
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Sad but true. Apart from walking around covered in a burka, and with mace spray and a knuckle duster in their handbags, there’s no way for women to avoid unwanted attention from men. I was always told by my parents to dress sensibly and avoid being out on my own at night, advice I’ve always stuck to. So far so good, and I’m not far off 64.
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Unfortunately it goes beyond one religion. In India, a melting pot for too many religions and races to count, all woman are supposed to wear unflattering dresses so that they don’t “provoke” men. If they wear a form-fitting dress, regardless of length, they are ogled at, pinched on the roads, gossiped about, and considered sluts. Nobody even remotely considers that even if she is a slut, men can simply look away. And they don’t. The victim is called the perpetrator of crime.
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I suppose if they report any sexual harassment they generally have to report it to men who then ignore it? Women need to band together in their thousands and protest.
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Unfortunately, reporting is faced with retaliation. The Police force has better things to do than catch the one thousand people leering at and touching women…and then families tell you to dress sensibly too
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I tried dressing in long skirts and T-shirts but my father stopped me. He wouldn’t let me open the door without a dupatta. And I can see his point too. Dressing to be one with background was my only defence.
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The men need educating and taking out of the dark ages.
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And I’m never out after dark. 7.30 pm is my upper limit even when living in two Metropolitans cities.
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Very sensible.
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Women all around the world have hills to climb still. In India, it seems those are ‘mountains’.
Best wishes, Pete.
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No Pete! I think, most men world over have to deep dive internally to find humility and respect for individual.
It is not about the dress but the attitude of society. If I cannot walk out without a dupatta, it is because most men don’t know how to avert their eyes. If I cannot drink alcohol, it is because men think all women who drink are sluts. It is not something a woman can fix. It is the mountain that men have to climb.
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That’s a very good point, Shaily.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Nice observation,, Shaily’
Oh, I hope you and yours are Safe. The news from India is so heartbreaking.
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Thank you, Don! We have several COVID cases in the family but thankfully everyone is on the road to recovery. It is scary though. Too many people of all ages are dying. We lost colleagues and neighbours. The medical system has broken down completely. All we have to carry us through this tough time is faith.
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My thoughts and prayers for you and yours, Shaily
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Thank you, Don! Stay safe.
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sharply observed acts of lechery —
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Thanks John. It is more about the society’s gender bias. A man in India can get away with anything. Nobody blames him. while women watch their step, their dress, their words, their gestures at the pain of being classed as “those women”.
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