What happens when a 26-year-old single girl decides to pack her bags and move to Delhi from Mumbai? Well, for one, you are subjected to stares and shocked expressions from everyone who hears this. After all Delhi is unsafe, right?
A couple of months ago I got the opportunity of a lifetime. Born and brought up in Mumbai, I had always dreamt of moving out of my family home. I wanted to live on my own and experience the single life. So when I was offered a job transfer I just had to take it up. The only problem? I had to move to Delhi.
I had heard so much about the city that my first thought was – how do I convince my folks at home. As soon as my family heard about it, there were multiple fear-related stories which they shared with me. Rape, kidnapping, eve-teasing, robbing and many more horrors I’d already heard about, came my way especially from people who’ve probably never visited the capital. “Sambhalna, ladkiyon ke liye who jagah thik nahi hai, tu wahan akele rehne wali hai?, are you aware of how women are raped there in broad daylight?”- were just some of the things I would constantly hear.
But I had made up my mind. I was going to Delhi. So after I convinced my parents who were surprisingly pretty cool and confident about my decision I was ready to face it all. Plus being a Mumbaikar, being unsafe seemed to be an unfamiliar term.
I was going to live on my own instead of a PG or sharing apartment and even today I remember clearly how I felt the first time I travelled alone to Delhi. I had a thousand things running in my mind and was extra cautious about everything. After all, I didn’t want people to tell me that they were right.
But as days passed and I gradually started moving out of my cocoon, I realised that not everything I was told was true. I began to explore the city on my own, went out for movies and parties and spend weekends travelling from one section of the crazy metropolis to the other to catch up with friends. And to be true, it wasn’t that bad.
There are men and women, girls and boys moving into the capital everyday and it’s all just fine.
Yes, Delhi has been a total contrast from what Mumbai is in literally every way. The people I encountered here love to talk and are helpful. In the short time (two months) that I’ve been here I have met people from varied cultures and it’s been such an enriching experience.
Mumbai is home but Delhi has been a great learning as I’ve started to view everything in a different light. It’s like I’ve become a sponge absorbing everything around me and totally enjoying living on my own.
I agree that cases like Nirbhaya and the Uber rape case are horrific, maligning the city and that has lead Delhiites to also become more cautious. It’s advised to not travel late at nights or move out without the company of a man in some areas. I often get told to be careful because I live alone but I’ve learnt how bindaas girls here are; it’s more inspiring than fearful.
Mumbai will always be my first love but after moving to Delhi my perspective towards life has broadened. It’s a beautiful city with all its flaws and I am totally loving it.
Nisa is an Adverstising professional who has recently moved from Mumbai to Delhi.
