A conversation with Divya*, content writer and single mother
I work at an IT company as a content writer and web designer. I am a single mother of two kids (19 and 15), and I also have to take care of my father-in-law. Balancing everything is a tough act, but over the years I have learnt how to do it well. Initially, it was a little bit of a struggle, particularly in trying get people to do things. When I was getting my kitchen renovated, the carpenters and other workers wouldn’t listen at first. But I am a dabang (fearless/ audacious) person, so I know how to get things done. For every small thing, I cannot call my brother… But yes, I have seen that they usually have some problems taking instructions from women.
Over the years, Gurgaon has changed a lot. So many amenities and facilities are now available at your doorstep. Even transportation has improved, though for me it was never a big issue anyway. I always drove my own car. I drive a powerful car.
When my husband passed away, I sold off my small car and started driving his Innova (MUV). Driving a big car gives me a sense of authority on the road. Though I am an expert driver anyway, driving this gives me greater confidence. Later as I got more comfortable even when I bought a new car, I chose the same one. I wouldn’t say that a car is everything, but it does make a difference – farak toh padta hai. It not only gives me a confidence, but it impacts the others as well. People are also better behaved with you when they see you have a big, powerful car. You command respect on the road. Having said that of course, it depends on how well you drive. For me it has been several years. I drive not only within the city, I have taken the car outside the city many times. Jaipur and Haridwar are very common. So many times, I have taken the car to Gwalior, Dehradoon, and many other places – and that too alone when my kids were very young.
I know many people speak of safety issues in Gurgaon, but thankfully my own experience has been good for the most part because I don’t like to loaf around on the streets. Even if I am coming late, I am in my own car and the windows are up. If we dine out, I make sure we go to the good, safe places. I don’t like to unnecessarily mess around.
When I was younger, I was slightly rasher. Many years ago, I was driving my kids from my parents-in-law’s place at night. I saw that a young girl and with two small children were sitting in a Maruti car, and around 15-20 people from the nearby slum had encircled them and were banging on the car. So, I stopped my car a little ahead of them, asked my kids to lock it from inside and went out. When I asked what happened, they said she had hit a bike or something, but I saw the man and the bike were perfectly alright. I threatened them that I was a police officer and will call my staff because they were harassing the woman. They immediately got scared and moved back, and I asked the woman to quickly drive away. As soon as she started her car, even I ran to own car and drove off.
Today, I think this was a very rash decision; I probably won’t do something like that today. But that day I just couldn’t drive away seeing her and her crying kids. I did get scolded at home for that though (laughs). Now I know, I must take care of myself first – wear my own oxygen mask before helping others.
*name changed to preserve anonymity
I work at an IT company as a content writer and web designer. I am a single mother of two kids (19 and 15), and I also have to take care of my father-in-law. Balancing everything is a tough act, but over the years I have learnt how to do it well. Initially, it was a little bit of a struggle, particularly in trying get people to do things. When I was getting my kitchen renovated, the carpenters and other workers wouldn’t listen at first. But I am a dabang (fearless/ audacious) person, so I know how to get things done. For every small thing, I cannot call my brother… But yes, I have seen that they usually have some problems taking instructions from women.
Over the years, Gurgaon has changed a lot. So many amenities and facilities are now available at your doorstep. Even transportation has improved, though for me it was never a big issue anyway. I always drove my own car. I drive a powerful car.
When my husband passed away, I sold off my small car and started driving his Innova (MUV). Driving a big car gives me a sense of authority on the road. Though I am an expert driver anyway, driving this gives me greater confidence. Later as I got more comfortable even when I bought a new car, I chose the same one. I wouldn’t say that a car is everything, but it does make a difference – farak toh padta hai. It not only gives me a confidence, but it impacts the others as well. People are also better behaved with you when they see you have a big, powerful car. You command respect on the road. Having said that of course, it depends on how well you drive. For me it has been several years. I drive not only within the city, I have taken the car outside the city many times. Jaipur and Haridwar are very common. So many times, I have taken the car to Gwalior, Dehradoon, and many other places – and that too alone when my kids were very young.
I know many people speak of safety issues in Gurgaon, but thankfully my own experience has been good for the most part because I don’t like to loaf around on the streets. Even if I am coming late, I am in my own car and the windows are up. If we dine out, I make sure we go to the good, safe places. I don’t like to unnecessarily mess around.
When I was younger, I was slightly rasher. Many years ago, I was driving my kids from my parents-in-law’s place at night. I saw that a young girl and with two small children were sitting in a Maruti car, and around 15-20 people from the nearby slum had encircled them and were banging on the car. So, I stopped my car a little ahead of them, asked my kids to lock it from inside and went out. When I asked what happened, they said she had hit a bike or something, but I saw the man and the bike were perfectly alright. I threatened them that I was a police officer and will call my staff because they were harassing the woman. They immediately got scared and moved back, and I asked the woman to quickly drive away. As soon as she started her car, even I ran to own car and drove off.
Today, I think this was a very rash decision; I probably won’t do something like that today. But that day I just couldn’t drive away seeing her and her crying kids. I did get scolded at home for that though (laughs). Now I know, I must take care of myself first – wear my own oxygen mask before helping others.
*name changed to preserve anonymity
A conversation with Divya*, content writer and single mother
I work at an IT company as a content writer and web designer. I am a single mother of two kids (19 and 15), and I also have to take care of my father-in-law. Balancing everything is a tough act, but over the years I have learnt how to do it well. Initially, it was a little bit of a struggle, particularly in trying get people to do things. When I was getting my kitchen renovated, the carpenters and other workers wouldn’t listen at first. But I am a dabang (fearless/ audacious) person, so I know how to get things done. For every small thing, I cannot call my brother… But yes, I have seen that they usually have some problems taking instructions from women.
Over the years, Gurgaon has changed a lot. So many amenities and facilities are now available at your doorstep. Even transportation has improved, though for me it was never a big issue anyway. I always drove my own car. I drive a powerful car.
When my husband passed away, I sold off my small car and started driving his Innova (MUV). Driving a big car gives me a sense of authority on the road. Though I am an expert driver anyway, driving this gives me greater confidence. Later as I got more comfortable even when I bought a new car, I chose the same one. I wouldn’t say that a car is everything, but it does make a difference – farak toh padta hai. It not only gives me a confidence, but it impacts the others as well. People are also better behaved with you when they see you have a big, powerful car. You command respect on the road. Having said that of course, it depends on how well you drive. For me it has been several years. I drive not only within the city, I have taken the car outside the city many times. Jaipur and Haridwar are very common. So many times, I have taken the car to Gwalior, Dehradoon, and many other places – and that too alone when my kids were very young.
I know many people speak of safety issues in Gurgaon, but thankfully my own experience has been good for the most part because I don’t like to loaf around on the streets. Even if I am coming late, I am in my own car and the windows are up. If we dine out, I make sure we go to the good, safe places. I don’t like to unnecessarily mess around.
When I was younger, I was slightly rasher. Many years ago, I was driving my kids from my parents-in-law’s place at night. I saw that a young girl and with two small children were sitting in a Maruti car, and around 15-20 people from the nearby slum had encircled them and were banging on the car. So, I stopped my car a little ahead of them, asked my kids to lock it from inside and went out. When I asked what happened, they said she had hit a bike or something, but I saw the man and the bike were perfectly alright. I threatened them that I was a police officer and will call my staff because they were harassing the woman. They immediately got scared and moved back, and I asked the woman to quickly drive away. As soon as she started her car, even I ran to own car and drove off.
Today, I think this was a very rash decision; I probably won’t do something like that today. But that day I just couldn’t drive away seeing her and her crying kids. I did get scolded at home for that though (laughs). Now I know, I must take care of myself first – wear my own oxygen mask before helping others.
*name changed to preserve anonymity
A conversation with Divya*, content writer and single mother
I work at an IT company as a content writer and web designer. I am a single mother of two kids (19 and 15), and I also have to take care of my father-in-law. Balancing everything is a tough act, but over the years I have learnt how to do it well. Initially, it was a little bit of a struggle, particularly in trying get people to do things. When I was getting my kitchen renovated, the carpenters and other workers wouldn’t listen at first. But I am a dabang (fearless/ audacious) person, so I know how to get things done. For every small thing, I cannot call my brother… But yes, I have seen that they usually have some problems taking instructions from women.
Over the years, Gurgaon has changed a lot. So many amenities and facilities are now available at your doorstep. Even transportation has improved, though for me it was never a big issue anyway. I always drove my own car. I drive a powerful car.
When my husband passed away, I sold off my small car and started driving his Innova (MUV). Driving a big car gives me a sense of authority on the road. Though I am an expert driver anyway, driving this gives me greater confidence. Later as I got more comfortable even when I bought a new car, I chose the same one. I wouldn’t say that a car is everything, but it does make a difference – farak toh padta hai. It not only gives me a confidence, but it impacts the others as well. People are also better behaved with you when they see you have a big, powerful car. You command respect on the road. Having said that of course, it depends on how well you drive. For me it has been several years. I drive not only within the city, I have taken the car outside the city many times. Jaipur and Haridwar are very common. So many times, I have taken the car to Gwalior, Dehradoon, and many other places – and that too alone when my kids were very young.
I know many people speak of safety issues in Gurgaon, but thankfully my own experience has been good for the most part because I don’t like to loaf around on the streets. Even if I am coming late, I am in my own car and the windows are up. If we dine out, I make sure we go to the good, safe places. I don’t like to unnecessarily mess around.
When I was younger, I was slightly rasher. Many years ago, I was driving my kids from my parents-in-law’s place at night. I saw that a young girl and with two small children were sitting in a Maruti car, and around 15-20 people from the nearby slum had encircled them and were banging on the car. So, I stopped my car a little ahead of them, asked my kids to lock it from inside and went out. When I asked what happened, they said she had hit a bike or something, but I saw the man and the bike were perfectly alright. I threatened them that I was a police officer and will call my staff because they were harassing the woman. They immediately got scared and moved back, and I asked the woman to quickly drive away. As soon as she started her car, even I ran to own car and drove off.
Today, I think this was a very rash decision; I probably won’t do something like that today. But that day I just couldn’t drive away seeing her and her crying kids. I did get scolded at home for that though (laughs). Now I know, I must take care of myself first – wear my own oxygen mask before helping others.
*name changed to preserve anonymity
