Was travelling to office by bus the other day, and as usual, there was barely enough space to even stand. Coincidentally, was standing near those front seats that are meant for ladies and have the word "Ladies" indicated over them in English and Marathi. There is also a seat reserved for the "Handicapped"
After a few minutes, a lady standing next to me asked one of the men to vacate the seat reserved for ladies. The man not being your genteel, cultured type objected a little, but then fearing he didn't have much of a case, gave up the seat.
A gentleman next to me suggested that I too do the same and claim a seat. I politely told him that I didn't mind standing.
The whole episode amused me not a little and struck me with the irony of it. I wondered at the whole idea of having seats reserved for "Ladies", particularly taken together with the fact that there were also seats reserved for the "Handicapped". I wondered at the women who on the one side demand equality with men and on the other expect preferential treatment deserved by the "weaker".
posted by Sylvia D'souza at 12:02 am
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