Friday 22 November 2013

Sex, sleaze and men at work...


I needed a very strong drug to wake me from the reverie. Almost two months without a post, a poor middle aged woman lost in her books and kids. And suddenly there is a bolt of lightning that strikes and here i bounce back from the dream of books and exams. Hearty thanks for bringing me back to the blogging platform Tarun Tejpal and Mr Justice.

It happens everyday in the life of a working woman. Whatever be the age, you are not exempted, ladies-as they infer, "women are like wine, they age beautifully". The sneers, the 'casual' groping, the lewd remarks, that " I am ready for sex anytime, are you ready, sweet heart?" synonymous body language and the 'plastered to the upper body all the time" looks- we do take everything in the stride and pass it with a smile. It is rather brushing off these advances that take much of the energy provided by the half cooked chappathis and fruit diet we take. Ah the bane of Indian working women!

Working in the largest public sector enterprise of our country makes people like me vulnerable to the sexually thirsty and greedy men ( again it is not a generalisation, there are quite a few "taking care of crybabies" type men too!) who arrive in train loads every other day in the offices. To most of the men ( again, please read most as few here, if you are a misogynist) women who sport a handbag and walk in to the offices for a decent living are ready to jump into the couch with any Tom, Dick ( yes, literally I mean the same) and Harry at their whims and  fancies. 

There was this supervisor of a goods terminal who always liked to piss ( obviously he loves to show off what little material he has got!) keeping the unisex washroom door wide open. And mind you, he always forgot to pull up the zipper till he got to your table. Flashing his 'property' to seemingly unassuming an innocuous ladies in the office definitely brought him the thrills. And how did i put up with it? Very simple, report to the higher ups- i still remember every word of my written complaint, got myself transferred and blocked his promotion for almost three years.

And there is this gentleman reservation clerk who always likes to grope and touch women around. Passing a pen to this gentleman would scrap off a few ounces off your fingers. Every time he crosses your chair, he makes it a point to grope somewhere on your back and mumble a 'sorry'. Another booking supervisor made it a point to pat our shoulders and say...you guessed it right-"My daughter...you resemble my daughter". The seemingly plain comment never enters the thick skulls of few fellow lady staff who keep bringing sambar and chutney to the tormentor...So you can pat, hug and squeeze your fellow staff and get sambar and chutney in return! One loud " Don't touch me" yelled at my highest pitch was what made him get yards away from me. And i am happy he remembers to maintain the ten yard away principle even after few years. Fellow got good memory ;)

There was this officer on a night inspection at a station who insisted in opening a closed ticket counter in the middle of the night to just 'peep' in who was working, knowing fully well who has signed the attendance and who was on duty. It took the booking clerk a full ten minutes to explain from behind the door that she is not opening the door at any cost at midnight, whoever be the officer. And there is this gentleman officer who loves to be in 'personal contact' with every 'willing' lady staff. My foot! Power and position...a powerful aphrodisiac that make men feel they can jump into bed with every women with a handbag, provided the 'right amount of pressure' is applied at the right time.

If this is the case with educated and loud mouth women like me, imagine the Class 4 workers, women who come as compassionate appointments. Widows targeted by hawks starting from Union people, welfare section staff, bosses above...the list is endless. Makes me sick. One lady was made to carry 50 concrete slabs to the farthest end of the platform just because she did not succumb to the P.Way Inspector. And she continues to suffer even today. And i am helpless...a bystander.

I wish the law grad brings Mr Justice to the books and Tarun Tejpal is made to understand "no one is above the law". More and more women are opening up and I find this change welcoming...only I wish, i had the resource to nail the offenders around me now... Thanks to the young journo and law graduate- ladies, you rock!!!

18 comments:

  1. That's the problem everywhere sis. It is saddening to know that this is happening in public sector offices. :( :( Come back to blogging world like you were once on Cloud Nine :)

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    1. Thanks Bro! It is the same evrywhere...sickening :( Will be back soon!

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  2. U have pinned today big problem.. I really appreciate ur effort.

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  3. The less said about Tarun Tejpal, the better. What is worse is how women in responsible positions seem to take it so lightly as Shoma Chaudhry has done. Had she taken prompt and proper action instead of defending the accused, we would have had some respect for her. It really angers me to read how women are treated in offices, public spaces and also in public sector offices. Timely post.

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    1. Thanks Swapna. I really wish Shoma could have handled the issue much much better :(

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  4. TARUN TEJPAL...GOD!! I ma boiling right nw. And I am reserving my judgments on SHOMA ....
    but it is sad how women are groped and taken advantage of at their work place. It is even sad that one going against the superiors who r practicing this, she is made the culprit.
    welcome back !!!

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  5. Really sad to know the state of affairs even in offices where many women work. Difficult to understand why many women colleagues donot support the affected person. Still ppl are afraid that they will be isolated and harassed for making a complaint. Many rules simply exist in paper. None of the so called committees ever meet and take any concrete steps. Will things ever change?

    Hari

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  6. Sad to know state of affairs even in offices where many women work. Very often even women colleagues do not support the affected persons. Many rules simply exist in paper. The affected women are afraid to make a complaint as they may be isolated and harassed. Will things ever change?

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    1. Thanks Hari Sir. I am afraid, things will change slowly...but steadily!

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  7. 1.First of all i like to thank TEHELKA for what it shd have met earlier.. no sting operation reqd to bring out the dark side of TEHELKA ( the ppl who used sting operations to make ppl do commit mistakes)
    2."the largest public sector enterprise - may b over headed so that ppl dont hav enuf wrk.
    3." supervisor of a goods terminal"; " reservation clerk";" officer on a night inspection ",- Look alike Men view Opp gender like sweets on display ( and shd be taken asap).
    4."imagine the Class 4 workers"- contrary to the popular belief the sexual harraasemnt i feel is not seen at blue collar levels..donno why?!
    5.Last but not the least, Men can do wat they wnt until gettin caught red-handed...but once on trial..they come dwn nt by 1 or 2 steps...but almost all the way they came up ..(Eg.Panish Moorthy - VP of INFY next is I-Gate and sacked frm both)

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    1. Thanks Kamalika. There is dearth of staff here too, but mismanagement of staff at many places has led to laziness and boredom that breed such filthy thoughts in perverted minds...

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  8. This post has been selected for the Spicy Saturday Picks this week. Thank You for an amazing post! Cheers! Keep Blogging :)

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  9. Hi Nivedita ... I like your posts and have nominated your blog for a Liebster award. You can visit the link http://sens-e-peak.blogspot.in/2013/12/liebster-nomination.html to complete the procedure

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  10. Life, it takes all kinds to make the world go round, it happens and will keep happening we just have to crave a piece that is suited to us and weed out all the derelicts.

    Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and yours. May this season of love be the season that runs through you, your home, your family throughout the year.

    peace.

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    1. Thanks a ton for your wishes, Rhapsody! Happy New Year to you and your family too!

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