Rail trains, fake hopes, raping cases on the road

Photo credit: Consuelo Naranjo/The Beacon

Consuelo Naranjo/Columnist

        For some, the dread of fear is bigger than the fear itself; however, what happens when, for the first time in your life, every night you go to sleep with the fright that someone may break into your hotel room and sexually assault you? Before my trip to the land of the mystical spirits, I strongly believed that all the raping cases in India were just a severe exaggeration of scandalous journalism. Conversely, this actually represents a problematic situation that thousands of women have to face, not just in India, but also around the world. Disappointingly, I wouldn’t have ever imagined that a train station could be the scene where I almost became another victim in the long and undisclosed raping statistics.

           After my short visit to the temple of love, the Taj Mahal, my expectations for a convenient stay in India increased by some means. In the second week of my adventure, when I was minutes away from taking the train from New Delhi to Jairpur, an unpredictable nightmare crossed my path. New Delhi train station welcomed me with tons of restless bodies lying around the floor, and a thick, fetid smell mixed with humidity spreading around the environment.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people were trying to find the port for their new destination. Heavy suitcases, a folded electronic ticket, and unrestricted anxiety became my companions, as tall, Indian men with pale red t-shirts begged me to let them help carry my bags to the door. It was almost impossible to resist their despair and unstoppable insistence, though. They are well known for their strong arms, fast feet and, of course, for stealing and running away with tourists’ belongings.

           Like a shadow, the red-shirted men followed me to the main entrance, and they waited behind my back while I desperately asked a police officer, who was standing at the door, for a way out. Nevertheless, my pleas were dismissed when the police officer and loader workers started talking in a language that I am not proficient in: Hindi. The officer explained to me that my train had been canceled and that I should go with the two men, take a taxi and change my ticket in an office around the corner.  If you believe in God, energy, angels, survival instinct or that internal voice that sometimes tells you not to do it, well, I heard all of them. My mind decided to stay in the middle of the train station, while my body was completely shaking 15 minutes before my train was about to depart. Those redshirted tireless workers guarded me every second. Time was passing and my agony increased.

           After seeing that I was not going anywhere, the police officer came to me and told me that my train was never canceled. He told me that I had to hire the two men wearing the red shirts to help me cross the bridge so I did not miss the transportation to my freedom. I knew everything was a lie, a trap. Tears ran down my face while those sarcastic men smiled. I had to hire them and pay double for their service, but in some way, I was finally saved.

For those who believe that taking the train in India is an experience that you will never forget, I strongly agree, but it may turn into the worst nightmare if you are a female–even worse, a tourist. All those tears did not allow me to see the rural landscape. A female native came to my seat and apologized for her country.

“This is a poor country. People are desperate and they will take advantage of everyone. Women are treated as inferior species; we are not equal. There are many cases in court about police officers raping females. Don’t trust anyone, don’t smile and don’t be by yourself. I am sorry,” she said.

           More than ever, I value living in a country where most of us females can smile, use transportation, study, choose whom we want to get married to, work, enjoy a meeting after sunset, use any type of clothing and relax. Somehow, we have much more freedom in the United States of America than many others do in other places.

           According to BBC News, New Delhi recorded the highest number of crimes against women accounted for 14.18% in India. But not just gang- or simple raping cases are a form of violence. Every human being on earth has the right of education, equality, the right of living, and be able to move if they want of desire, have a nationality and an opinion; however, believe it or not, in today’s world, having and promoting those rights are a blessing, not a reality. My trip to India encouraged me to fight for those who do not have a voice or hope. To help women, who inside their hearts wish for a college education, to travel and to decide for their own. I encourage you to see your rights as opportunities to be better and help others.

 consuelo.naranjo@fiusm.com