The woman of the moment or the man who ran !! #Kiran Bedi vs #Arvind Kejriwal

The Delhi elections has begun to look like a tale of mockery where two highly educated individuals of different sex are fighting by putting their morals at stake. When we knew that AAP would unanimously bring Arvind Kejriwal at the forefront to stand for the post of the CM, we were clueless who would the BJP's candidate in the making be. And while we could contemplate and evaluate the prospects we were shaken from our very ground when the announcement was made that it would be none other than the (then)dynamic Kiran Bedi.

It took me a while to assimilate the entire situation. It shook me and I was numb. Almost a year ago when the entire country was looking for a change, the IIT alumnus separated from Anna Hazare and entered politics. He stood and won the Delhi polls raising the hopes of every individual in the country. The country was proud that there was finally someone who was just a minister next door, he was the God at that moment. He was the only person whom the country saw was devoid of a political dirt. The man who stood with the Jhado(broom) seemed to be the saviour who would clean the city and in turn India from corruption, malpractices and every vice.

Arvind Kejriwal after the Delhi Election win

The hopes were shortlived, exactly for 49 days after which he stepped down as the Chief Minister breaking and trashing the dreams of every individual who supported him and voted for him. Although he later apologized for quitting midway, do you think the nation cares now? Does any apology make sense now?

Speaking of Kiran Bedi, the self-acclaimed "Woman of the Moment", has let the country down again. The IPS officer who was known for her "harishchandra" ideologies has backstabbed on each one of us who has grown up admiring her.

The woman who once stood against the political biggies is now seen joining hands with the least amount of ignominy. She has coldly refused to reply to any of the questions that are asked to her with regard to the sudden change. How can a nation trust the woman who has been an opportunist and moved against her mission?
How can India's highest ranking Woman Officer set an example of deceit?

 The switch in her beliefs has clearly portrayed that this has become another Karunanidhi-Jayalalitha syndrome in the country. It has left us with no choice. Whom do we support? Are we Indian's going to always be crushed under a carpet of dirty politics where every individual performs or speaks only for his fame?

We are again caught in a pandemonium of disloyalty, fight for power, corrupt leaders and unfaithful promises. It's easier said than done, but whom do we look up to, "The woman of the moment or the man who ran" Or do we have to wait for another leader to be born?

What is it to live as a girl in Delhi?

It scares me. The thought of it reminds me of the 16th December incident. The Nirbhaya story has left an indelible scar in the life of every Indian woman.

I have visited Delhi once. It was years ago when I was in the 3rd grade. I had toured around Delhi with my parents. The lotus temple is all I remember today. It was meant to be one of the most peaceful places in Delhi. I had found Delhi inviting as a kid. But today, alas it is not the same.

Recently, my husband had been receiving a lot of job offers from companies that were situated in Delhi. Every time he considered a decent option and came to me for an opinion, he would be offensively denied with a single word, "NO". What followed was another sentence, "Don't you know it's dreadful for a woman to live there?"

And then, it gets me to thinking how do woman survive in Delhi? Recently, one of my colleagues and I were having an argument about working in Delhi. As always I was dreadfully against it. He was however trying his best to convince me. He said that Delhi was a very well-planned city. It had huge roads, the metro is the best in Delhi and house rent is not as exorbitant like Mumbai. But there was one assurance that he as a Delhite couldn't give, "Safety for woman".

I watched an advertisement this morning where the great Arnab Goswami was heard asking questions to the ministers on who is to be blamed for such acts of rape against women. This was the background voice while the video showed three men trying to rape two women of which one escapes and the other is unfortunately raped.

I wondered what would happen if by any chance I woke up in Delhi someday. Would I step out of the house? Would I stay inside and keep checking if the doors are bolted properly? Would I think twice before wearing a particular dress? Would I walk out of the house praying that I should get back home safe? Would I be walking in a street with thousands of male eyes wanting to feast on me?  Would I think hundred times before working late since I will have to get back home before it turns dark? Would I be living scared all the time? Would by heart be thumping each time I was alone? Would I always need a companion or bodyguard for my safety?

The "Would I" questions suddenly stopped haunting me as I realised that this was just my fearful mind playing tricks. I was not in Delhi. I heaved a sigh of relief.

There was one more question that frightened me, "What if someday my city became like Delhi? Who am I to blame then?"