Be Smart and be Alert!!

Today’s Morning began as usual, with a cup of hot Tea and my daily perusal of the Morning Newspaper.

One of the headlines immediately caught my attention. “Russian Female Tourist found Murdered .Body dumped on the beach”. As I read the story, my brain slowly trying to process yet another crime into the list of many such crimes that have occurred lately in my City. Crimes against women, that have started to rise at an alarming rate, in what was once considered as one of the most simplest and peaceful tourist destinations in India. Goa!

Goa, the paradise of south India known for the “Susegaad”(easy going) and friendly  attitude of the people. Where thousands of tourists flock every year to enjoy the Sun, sand and Sea.

The same place is now starting to become more and more sinister and unsafe not only for tourists but for the local women as well. I remember that I once refused a job offer because I was asked to relocate to Delhi and I did not want to go to an “Unsafe” city. But I guess I was wrong in thinking of only a particular city as Unsafe. In Today’s world, anything can happen at any time, irrespective of which city. So it is high time that we & especially women take up our own safety in our own hands.

Recently one of my friends read the post I had written for the awareness of Smart Suraksha android Application. She seemed unconvinced about it.

“It is easy for us to talk about having Smart Suraksha app…Flashing out The Mobile when under attack, as we quickly press the button and summon help and Presto! The day is saved!

 Only this is not how it happens when you are actually being attacked. Under that kind of a situation a person hardly remembers one’s name let alone recollect an Android application lying in the mobile phone that’s at the depths of her purse” was her argument.

To which my reply was that “Although its true that the person is in a situation ,It’s all about the presence of mind and how you react to a situation that finally saves the day.” Without that a person can be helpless even while having a Gun in her hands.

 Apps like Smart Suraksha are here to provide you the extra help ,but you yourself have to be prepared  and Smart so that you can take advantage of the right things at the time to help yourself.

Here are some tips that I have formulated for myself and which I Intend to follow for my Safety in my own city as well as elsewhere and hope this will help others in need:

1)BE ALERT: Danger can find you anywhere. So always try to be Alert and Aware of your surroundings. If you see any suspicious person following you or you find yourself in any situation that you feel will lead you into danger

2)DEFEND YOURSELF(Learn SELF DEFENSE): At least learn some basic Self defense tactics. If you cannot go for proper training in that , YouTube and Google will show you plenty of Tactics where you can learn to defend yourself at home. Then Of Course you can ask your Brother/Friend/Boy Friend/Husband to be the Guinea pig to try out the Kicks and Punches ;)

3)USE TECHNOLOGY TO YOUR BENEFIT: Install Safety Apps like Smart Suraksha App.  Smart Suraksha App is one such application for Android phones which at the touch of a single button sends your message of help to five pre-chosen contacts on your phone. Another great feature of this app being that along with your message, it also fetches and sends your location to the chosen contacts even if the GPS setting on your phone is switched off. This ensures that at all times you are reachable to your close ones and that your safety is ensured.

Doing this can help you in situations where you may need help and not be able to Face alone

4) DO NOT  MEET UNKNOWN PEOPLE ALONE:In this age of technology, where people meet, become friends online on the internet . Be careful before you agree to meet any one you do not know. It may easily be a trap of the unethical elements trying to fish for victims. If at all you need to meet the person , Do so  in a public place like a restaurant /Cafe etc, where you can be safe while you judge if the person is who he/she claims to be.

5)DO Not DRINK Alcohol in unknown places unless you are with people whom you trust :Besides the Sunny Beaches and tourist destinations, Goa is also notorious for its Cheap Alcohol (Booze). So if you are visiting Goa, Do not try to get as much alcohol into your system as you can unless you are accompanied by someone of your own, like a family member or close friend. Especially if you are not from the area, you may never know who might be watching you and Remember it is easy to take advantage of you if you are in an Inebriated state.

6)AT PARTIES always Guard your drinks: At Parties, in Pubs etc, always guard your drinks. In such places, specially if you are alone or not with anyone you trust much, it is easy to spike drinks if you leave it unattended. Most cases where women have been taken advantage of are where their drinks were spiked/drugged and they were not conscious to defend themselves.

7)DRESS APPROPRIATELY: This may bring lots of angry reactions from Feminists all around, but even i am all for Women's rights being a woman myself, but the condition of women s safety these days, even i find myself  saying this. Dress appropriately! this does not mean  you have to move around in burkha's or cannot wear skirts, but dress  according to occasions and the people who will be around you. With this even you will not be uncomfortable and Of course, personally i think its easier to Kick or Run away (in danger situations) in comfy old jeans rather than a tight mini skirt. ;) 

8)DO NOT VENTURE ALONE After Dark in Unfamiliar areas.: This is for everyone. Locals as well as Tourists. Do not venture alone after Dark in unfamiliar areas. If at all it cannot be avoided, keep someone informed about your location. or Take a Taxi, whose license plate number you should give to your known people and make it known to the driver. 

9) CARRY PEPPER SPRAY: This is an all effective method. Spraying pepper spray into the eyes of an attacker, can incapacitate him long enough for you to escape or do considerable damage  to him enough to save yourself. If you do not have pepper spray, Body-Sprays, Deodorant sprays also helps. You can even try your hand at variants like Mosquito/Bug repellents etc. ;)

10)DO NOT Accept Rides from unknown people. Even if the person is known to you, make sure you trust the person. Even slight feeling that the person has bad intentions, do not accept rides from them. Trust Your Instincts! Your instincts are almost always right.

Be Smart! Be Surakshit!

I am sharing my Smart Suraksha Tips at BlogAdda.com in association with Smart Suraksha App.