/*Disclaimer: this post is entirely fictional and written solely to spread awareness about "Smart Suraksha android application ( also i do not own the logo /image used in the post)*/
"Sumi, Please make a few Parantha’s and pack them in a Lunch box for Pooja", Malti called out from the hall to Sumathi.
"Yes Memsahib." said Sumathi, who was standing in the kitchen chopping vegetables, to make lunch.
It was almost a year now since Sumathi had started coming to the Shah Family house to cook their meals for them. In only a short time, she had won over everyone in the household and become an integral part of their family.
“Sumi Mausi!” 15 year old Pooja came prancing into the kitchen. “Please make your special, Paneer Parantha’s. All my friends just love them.”
Sumathi smiled shyly, pleased by these words. “Of course, Betaa! I know they are your favorite.”
Few minutes later, Sumathi was packing the parantha's neatly into the lunch box, softly humming a song while doing so.
“Sumi, what a beautiful voice you have got!” said a voice behind her. It was Malti Memsahib. Sumathi stopped humming. Embarrassed, she hastily changed the subject. “Memsahib, why does Pooja Baby have school today? Do they not give rest to these poor children on Sunday also these days?”
“Ha-ha Sumi, Pooja does not have school on a Sunday. In fact her vacations have started and she’s going for a week long musical camp with her friends. They pick out and train the most talented kids for a career in music and as you know, our Pooja loves singing and is quite talented in that.
“Oh” was the only sound that escaped Sumathi’s lips, as she dropped the spoon she was holding with a loud ‘Clunk’! Her face had turned ashen. Surprised by this sudden change in demeanor, Malti inquired, “What’s the matter Sumi?” Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, No Memsahib…I am fine.” She muttered feebly.
“Memsahib...I am sorry if I am speaking too much, but how can you allow Pooja Baby to go away from you, for so long on her own? It is not safe these days for girls and this music and film business is all bad. It just spoils a girl’s life!” She said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Sumathi looked as though she was about to burst into tears and although stunned , Malti gently placed a hand on her shoulder and said “ Sumi, I know you are saying this out of concern for Pooja, but do you really think I would have allowed my daughter to go for the camp had I not been sure of her safety? We have personally checked it out. Don't worry.
“B...But Memsahib, you never know what can happen to a young girl who is alone these days. She can be attacked, simply while walking down a street!” Sumathi stammered.
“Yes, Sumi” Replied Malti calmly “I know these things happen in today’s world and it is rather unfortunate. We as parents can only take certain amount of precaution for our children’s safety. But however much we may want to, we cannot be there to protect them 24X7. But this does not mean that we make our girls sit at home out of fear. Even girls have their dreams, aspirations, and the right to live as freely as they want.
''But Sumi , this also does not mean that we should let our child face the unknown unprepared. I for one have made sure that my daughter, wherever she may be will always have someone to turn to for help, lest such a situation arises.” she added.
“But how Memsahib? will you be sending someone with her?” Sumathi was puzzled.
“Yes, I am sending Smart Suraksha with her.” she said
“What is smart suraksha Memsahib?” Sumathi asked
“The Smart Suraksha App is an Android Application that aims at making the women feel safe.” replied Malti. “This means it is what can be put in your android mobile phone. Now a day’s most women have mobiles with this facility.” she added for Sumathi’s benefit.
“This App, sends your message of help to five pre-chosen contacts from your contact list and/or the local police, at the press of a single button, so if the girl feels that she is in danger, she can raise an alarm without raising the would be attacker’s suspicion.”
“But memsahib...even after that how will you know where she is if she is not able to talk? Won’t it be too late till anyone finds out? Asked Sumathi
“An additional feature of this app is that along with your message for help, it also sends across your location even if the GPS on your cellphone is switched off. Thus, the women can be reassured that there is help available at all times.”
“I believe that the day will come, where no mother will have to feel scared for her daughter’s safety, no father’s breath will be caught thinking of all the evil around her, no brother would have to worry if she’s a little late.
But till that day comes…, knowing that the daughter/sister/friend has access to Smart Suraksha app, their loved ones will feel a little bit better, can breathe a little bit more easily. Just a little bit more …” She Concluded
Sumathi listened to all this, quietly. This was entirely new information to her. She left for home that day a little bit more wiser. Walking down the road, it was as if someone had just unlocked a memory that she had so carefully repressed.
She could still see the young small town girl full of dreams, brimming with youth. Burning with a passion to do something in life. Yearning to sing. The girl who had fought against all odds, hoping to make it as a singer in the big city. The girl being she.
Until the fateful day where a so called music agent lured her on pretext of an audition to a deserted place. She sensed his wrong intentions, but what should she do? Whom should she call? Her brand new mobile phone was in her purse… But she didn’t know where she was and there was no one in sight. How could she call for help? …
Before she could figure out all this…she was viciously gripped by the man. She dropped her purse…her cell-phone as well…her only hope.
Struggling she reached for a nearby stone and brought it down on his head. It was all she could do to push herself from under the unconscious bleeding man as she picked up her purse with trembling hands and ran till she could no longer lift her feet.
But then this incident had scarred her for life.
She peered at her reflection in the glass window of a roadside shop. She was now just a shadow of that vibrant girl ten years ago. Her eyes brimmed with tears.
“I wish I had Smart Suraksha with me that day." she whispered to herself . "Perhaps my life and my daughter's would be different now.”
She resolved to herself, that she will not let her past shadow her daughter’s bright future.
Her daughter whose dreams to be a singer were always snubbed by her in fear that the same might happen to her. That she too might end up biter and crushed, like her. But history shall not repeat itself. Her daughter would fly…she would soar in the blue sky of her dreams.The beautiful golden bird that she is.
She will have her mother's ‘Suraksha’ with her and Smart Suraksha as well.
I am participating in the Seeking Smart Suraksha contest at BlogAdda.com in association with Smart Suraksha App
"Sumi, Please make a few Parantha’s and pack them in a Lunch box for Pooja", Malti called out from the hall to Sumathi.
"Yes Memsahib." said Sumathi, who was standing in the kitchen chopping vegetables, to make lunch.
It was almost a year now since Sumathi had started coming to the Shah Family house to cook their meals for them. In only a short time, she had won over everyone in the household and become an integral part of their family.
“Sumi Mausi!” 15 year old Pooja came prancing into the kitchen. “Please make your special, Paneer Parantha’s. All my friends just love them.”
Sumathi smiled shyly, pleased by these words. “Of course, Betaa! I know they are your favorite.”
Few minutes later, Sumathi was packing the parantha's neatly into the lunch box, softly humming a song while doing so.
“Sumi, what a beautiful voice you have got!” said a voice behind her. It was Malti Memsahib. Sumathi stopped humming. Embarrassed, she hastily changed the subject. “Memsahib, why does Pooja Baby have school today? Do they not give rest to these poor children on Sunday also these days?”
“Ha-ha Sumi, Pooja does not have school on a Sunday. In fact her vacations have started and she’s going for a week long musical camp with her friends. They pick out and train the most talented kids for a career in music and as you know, our Pooja loves singing and is quite talented in that.
“Oh” was the only sound that escaped Sumathi’s lips, as she dropped the spoon she was holding with a loud ‘Clunk’! Her face had turned ashen. Surprised by this sudden change in demeanor, Malti inquired, “What’s the matter Sumi?” Are you feeling unwell?”
“No, No Memsahib…I am fine.” She muttered feebly.
“Memsahib...I am sorry if I am speaking too much, but how can you allow Pooja Baby to go away from you, for so long on her own? It is not safe these days for girls and this music and film business is all bad. It just spoils a girl’s life!” She said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Sumathi looked as though she was about to burst into tears and although stunned , Malti gently placed a hand on her shoulder and said “ Sumi, I know you are saying this out of concern for Pooja, but do you really think I would have allowed my daughter to go for the camp had I not been sure of her safety? We have personally checked it out. Don't worry.
“B...But Memsahib, you never know what can happen to a young girl who is alone these days. She can be attacked, simply while walking down a street!” Sumathi stammered.
“Yes, Sumi” Replied Malti calmly “I know these things happen in today’s world and it is rather unfortunate. We as parents can only take certain amount of precaution for our children’s safety. But however much we may want to, we cannot be there to protect them 24X7. But this does not mean that we make our girls sit at home out of fear. Even girls have their dreams, aspirations, and the right to live as freely as they want.
''But Sumi , this also does not mean that we should let our child face the unknown unprepared. I for one have made sure that my daughter, wherever she may be will always have someone to turn to for help, lest such a situation arises.” she added.
“But how Memsahib? will you be sending someone with her?” Sumathi was puzzled.
“Yes, I am sending Smart Suraksha with her.” she said
“What is smart suraksha Memsahib?” Sumathi asked
“The Smart Suraksha App is an Android Application that aims at making the women feel safe.” replied Malti. “This means it is what can be put in your android mobile phone. Now a day’s most women have mobiles with this facility.” she added for Sumathi’s benefit.
“This App, sends your message of help to five pre-chosen contacts from your contact list and/or the local police, at the press of a single button, so if the girl feels that she is in danger, she can raise an alarm without raising the would be attacker’s suspicion.”
“But memsahib...even after that how will you know where she is if she is not able to talk? Won’t it be too late till anyone finds out? Asked Sumathi
“An additional feature of this app is that along with your message for help, it also sends across your location even if the GPS on your cellphone is switched off. Thus, the women can be reassured that there is help available at all times.”
“I believe that the day will come, where no mother will have to feel scared for her daughter’s safety, no father’s breath will be caught thinking of all the evil around her, no brother would have to worry if she’s a little late.
But till that day comes…, knowing that the daughter/sister/friend has access to Smart Suraksha app, their loved ones will feel a little bit better, can breathe a little bit more easily. Just a little bit more …” She Concluded
Sumathi listened to all this, quietly. This was entirely new information to her. She left for home that day a little bit more wiser. Walking down the road, it was as if someone had just unlocked a memory that she had so carefully repressed.
She could still see the young small town girl full of dreams, brimming with youth. Burning with a passion to do something in life. Yearning to sing. The girl who had fought against all odds, hoping to make it as a singer in the big city. The girl being she.
Until the fateful day where a so called music agent lured her on pretext of an audition to a deserted place. She sensed his wrong intentions, but what should she do? Whom should she call? Her brand new mobile phone was in her purse… But she didn’t know where she was and there was no one in sight. How could she call for help? …
Before she could figure out all this…she was viciously gripped by the man. She dropped her purse…her cell-phone as well…her only hope.
Struggling she reached for a nearby stone and brought it down on his head. It was all she could do to push herself from under the unconscious bleeding man as she picked up her purse with trembling hands and ran till she could no longer lift her feet.
But then this incident had scarred her for life.
She peered at her reflection in the glass window of a roadside shop. She was now just a shadow of that vibrant girl ten years ago. Her eyes brimmed with tears.
“I wish I had Smart Suraksha with me that day." she whispered to herself . "Perhaps my life and my daughter's would be different now.”
She resolved to herself, that she will not let her past shadow her daughter’s bright future.
Her daughter whose dreams to be a singer were always snubbed by her in fear that the same might happen to her. That she too might end up biter and crushed, like her. But history shall not repeat itself. Her daughter would fly…she would soar in the blue sky of her dreams.The beautiful golden bird that she is.
She will have her mother's ‘Suraksha’ with her and Smart Suraksha as well.
I am participating in the Seeking Smart Suraksha contest at BlogAdda.com in association with Smart Suraksha App
2 comments:
Well written!! Descriptive and very interesting.The Smart Suraksha App is a necessity today.
nice thought..
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