Confession of a notorious reckless!

It's been a month in Chennai. I did stay here for three months in the past, but I still do not have any friends here, whom I can invite for a lunch or drink. Blame my reserved nature and not the people around. So now it's been a month here and I am more than comfortable with my stay. My fifteen years of hostel life and hotel food, made it easier than ever in Chennai, especially because of the delicious and yummy food, which is available everywhere in Chennai. That too, at a price which is much more than affordable. I can't stop myself from talking about the mouthwatering idly which is served along with three different types of chutneys and Sambar. At some hotels, we get Vada Kari and veg korma, which is unique to Chennai. And my favorite TASMAC store, I mean the liquor shop, which is everywhere. And the most humble and fun loving people here made my stay in Chennai for a month appears like just a day.

And finally I had two consecutive off from work. I had big plans for these two days. The idea was to watch a movie or two, on the same day and then to spend some time in Marina beach in the evening being drunk. None of it worked as planned. I got up at 1 o clock in the noon. Got ready and went to the nearest bar to get rid of the headache as well as the appetite. It was intended to be an hour's program, with three pegs and food followed by other plans like movie, at least one. All that plan dint work out because; the 3 pegs became 6 and then 9. Then it was almost 10 o clock by the time i finished my 12th peg. I had chicken Biriyani from Pandian's hotel, which is adjacent to the bar and walked all the way till my PG, measuring the width of the street every now and then. I reached my room safe and wished ‘good-night’ to all my roommates and slept. The next thing I remember is getting up from sleep around six in the morning.

I went out to have a tea from Ramuanna’s shop.

A lean and short guy with dark skin in his early fifties, wearing a white shirt and blue lungi approached me saying; Nandhini Akka wants to meet you.

Who is Nandhini Akka, I asked.

My sir’s wife, he replied.

But, why she wants to meet me? I asked.

May be they need you for some work. They are your PG owner’s relative, Ramuanna explained.

After finishing the tea, I followed the guy to reach Nandini Akka’s house.

It was huge house with a large car parking in which there was a Toyota Innova Crysta and a I20 parked. In the corner of the compound wall there was a small temple like structure and from far, I could see a lamp lit inside it. I walked all the way till the front door and saw an old man in his late sixties, sitting in the hall, fiddling with a harmonium. There was no reaction from him, even after I calling Nandihini Akka, three times and that made me believe that the old musician is deaf.

I pressed the doorbell button.

And in less than a minute, I saw a beautiful lady in front of me, in her late twenties with a whimsical smile on her face. She was wearing a cotton night gown with floral prints on it. And I was on a study tour on her appearance.

Yes, she said to bring me back to reality.

Nan….Nandini Akka, I fumbled.

I am Nandidni, i need you to drive my guest till Pondicherry. Yesterday I hired a driver, but I got a call from him, few minutes ago saying that his kid is not keeping well and he cannot come today. So please get ready and be here by 8 Am.

Was it an order, request or demand? I asked.

Will it really make any difference? She answered my question, raising her eyebrows.

O yes, it does. I quipped.

Pardon me. I am extremely sorry for being rude. I am arranging a driver for my guest. I need to have breakfast ready for my husband in an hour and also make sure that my daughter is ready, whose school bus will be here anytime. Also I should pack launch for my husband as well as for my kid, she justified.

This put me in a situation where, I cannot deny her request.

Are you okay? Or do you have any plans for the day, she asked again to confirm.

No, was my answer. I knew there is no point in saying that i am busy, the entire people in the area knew, I am jobless.

Okay great, then get ready and be here by 8AM, she ordered.

I turned around and started walking towards my PG. I had a bit of hangover from previous days drink and thought it was better, if it was 10 instead of 8Am. On the way to my PG, I finished another round of tea and cigarette. I thought about Nandini Akka, her smile, her orders which sounded rude and her lengthy explanation about her miserable morning chorus. I finished my morning loo activities in less than thirty minutes, something I hate doing all in a hurry.

I wore white dothy along with a black and brown checked cotton shirt. Looked at the mirror and said to myself; it's good, after all I am going to be a driver. I was at Nandini Akka's house by seven forty-five and saw the Innova being washed by the same guy in blue lungi and white shirt. The guy who got me into this mess. And the i20, which was parked next to it was missing. I heard a long horn and turned around to look at the gate.

I saw a school bus which was painted all in yellow. 'Vivekananda public school' read the name followed by the address and telephone number, which was all in blue letters. Next movement I saw Nandini Akka, dragging a four year old girl with her right hand and was holding a school bag, water can and Tiffin carrier in her left hand. A lady at the door helped the girl to board the bus and took school bag and other stuffs from Nandini Akka.

The school van disappeared in no time and I saw Nandini Akka walking back with a great sigh of relief. She once again presented that great smile and said; I am done with my husband and daughter. My guest is getting ready.

Please come in, she invited me cordially.

I followed her.

She took me straight to dining hall. In the living room, I saw expensive and posh leather sofas and tea-poi in the middle, which was neatly polished and had rich elegant look.

There was a large screen TV and a home theatre system. And there was huge copper vessel filled with water in which there were fresh flowers floating. Entire house had granite floor. The dining table had wooden top, covered with shiny mica and steel legs. The dining chairs were made of black metal frame and wooden seat which had soft mica of brown color and the back rest had red velvet like cloth. The draperies, natural and artificial pants here and there as well as some paintings hanging on the wall added to its opulence.

Sit, Nandini Akka said.

I smiled at her and sat on a chair.

Tea or coffee? What would you prefer? She asked.

I am fine with both, either one of it please, I replied.

How about tea or coffee followed by breakfast? She asked and looked at me.

The same look a waiter in hotel would present, after giving multiple options for a customer.

Just a coffee please, I said.

I could feel my appetite bothering me, but choose to behave like super civilized.

OK I will get you coffee for now and you can have few idly along with my guest. She will be here anytime.

Nandini Akka came back with a cup of Coffee.

Nandini Akka's over whelming courtesy made me happy.

I just had two sips of Coffee which was as sweet as Nandini Akka. Then I saw a women walking down the stairs in Saree. I kept the coffee cup on the table and zoomed my eyes into the corridor through which she was coming. A tall and lean figure with extreme fair skin. She had a round face. And hair till her shoulder which was straightened ironed and partially colored. She was in a Saree made of transparent cloth and was of different dark colors like violet, maroon, orange and black in different shapes. She was wearing a black décolletage blouse. She was in a normal low heal slipper and I could see her toes, which was reddish than her colored cheeks. Overall, she was a lissome princess in front of me without the regalia and chaplet. I could see a golden Cruz in her cleavage, which was hanging on a thin golden chain. I was stunned and dumbstruck for a while.

Both of you can have breakfast, Nandini Akka said.

And this is Prasad, the guy who will drive you to Pondicherry, Nandini

Akka said.

Hello, she extended her hand.

Hi, I m Prasad. I shook my hands with her and I was lost in the feel of her soft hands.

So didn't hear her name. We had breakfast silently.

It was small soft idlies along delicious chutney and yummy sambar.

I and my princess said bye to Nandini Akka, soon after breakfast.

And all I knew is that I am driving this sweet lady to Pondicherry. The smooth engine of Toyota Crysta 2.8 and its performance made me pay my attention on it for a while and we approached East Coast Road.

Excuse me, I forgot your name, I said breaking the silence.

I am Nidha, she replied.

Nidha, the name made me trip again. I heard this ‘Nidha’ often these days. 'All because of you', 'you are the culprit', the phrases used to blame someone. And the Tamil translation of 'you are' is 'Nidha'.

Are you a Christian? I saw a Cruz at your, sorry a.... a Cruz hanging on your neck, I messed.

See, we are not comfortable with each other to discuss things like my faith and what is hanging on me, she fumed.

I am sorry, I tried to cover-up.

Its okay, she said in a fake threatening voice.

Where do you want to go in Pondicherry? I asked.

St. Peter's Cathedral, she replied.

I turned on the map on my phone and set the destination as St. Peter's Cathedral, Pondicherry.

Why do you use map? Don't you know the way? She irritated me.

No, I snubbed.

Okay, my name is 'Nidha'. Nidha Fernandez. I am a Christian. Anything more you want to know? She said in an apologetic manner.

No, was the only reply I could gather with a smile.

Can you stop at a shop from where I could purchase a cigarette, said Nidha in a friendly manner.

Why not? I was happy to know that she belongs to smokers club.

Do you smoke? I messed again.

Yes, sometime. She replied.

I stopped at a cigarette shop, went and got a bottle of water and a Wills Classic Milds, as per her order, which she passed after going through a menu of all known brands, I suggested. I saw her standing outside the car.

Get in. Either I will stop at somewhere, where there is shade or you can open the wind shield and smoke in the car, I advised.

Okay, she said and stepped in.

She opened the bottle and drank some water. Then she took Cigarette from me and gestured for a lighter. I helped her light the Cigarette.

Am I permitted to light a cigarette? I asked.

Yes, yes... Please. She replied with a smile.

We finished our Cigarette.

Can we start? I asked.

Wait I will come front, she replied.

She came and sat on the front seat, on my left side. And we started our trip. After a while, I rolled up the windshields and turned on the radio.

It was a show where the Radio jockey asked callers about fitness, diet and the kind of partners they would like to have?

A women caller said in her chirpy voice over the phone that; "i like being fit, but I cannot follow diet and exercise. I like men who are fat. My boyfriend is fat".

Your boyfriend is fat and you like him. Is it that you like men who are fat because your boyfriend is fat or is there any specific reason for it? Radio jockey asked.

Ha…ha…ha it is, it is because they are good for coupling, she said in the same chirpy voice and started laughing aloud.

Nidha turned off the radio quickly and looked at me with a mixed expression of embarrassment and shy.

It's okay, take it easy. I said patting on her head.

Is it alright to drive without this nasty telecast, she said pulling my hand away from the radio, which i was about turn on.

Okay, miss then I would expect you to entertain me with some small talk instead. I was waiting for an opportunity to start a conversation with her and made use of it.

Okay, but not the kind of conversation on radio please. Nidha said and started laughing loud.

It seems like you are more obsessed with it, than the lady on the radio, I tried to pull her leg.

Yeah. Yeah. It seems we are obsessed. Shut up! She shouted.

Okay, easy. You are a Christian and Nandini Akka an Iyer. What is your connection? I asked.

Tell me only if we are comfortable with each other and there is no obsession involved, I added a rider to my question.

Stop being sarcastic. I and she were together in Ooty convent school, she said in a serious tone.

Now where do you live? I was queries.

I live in Sacramento California, she replied.

Oh! Sacramento California, I emphasized as if I am familiar with the place.

Looks like you been there or do you have your friends there? She asked.

No, I gave my blunt reply shrugging my shoulder.

She started laughing loud and said; it's amazing that you gave such an expressions and said Sacramento California, as if you are so familiar with the place.

See Madam, I never been there and I have no fiends there. But I am familiar with that name.

In fact I am familiar with the name of almost all the cities in US, because I get to read them a lot on T shirts, Trousers and night pants.

Oooo…. you are unbearable. She said hitting on my shoulder.

Okay, easy. Now why are we going to Pondicherry? I asked.

It's my home town, she replied.

And whom do you have at home, I asked again.

Of course my parents. Why so many questions? I saw Nidha getting irritated for the first time after the smoke.

This made me go through my women management skills to see where I messed? Or is madam running low on nicotine? I thought in the back of my mind.

Nidha noticed my silence and touched my hand, which was on the gear lever and said; I am sorry. I am going to meet my parents. It's there anniversary and I am here to join them. She explained to make me feel good.

I liked her caring nature.

Good to know, I said.

We were just twenty kilometers away from St. Peter’s Cathedral on Google map.

Stop at some flower shop on the way, Nidha said breaking the silence which prevailed from a while.

I saw flower seller on the roadside and pulled out.

Can you please come with me, she requested.

Okay, I said and went along with her to the flower shop. She went and picked up a big flower bouquet and took it to the counter.

Thousand five hundred madam, said the lady in the store.

I also need two candles, Nidha Said taking two big candles from the counter.

That makes it one thousand six hundred madam, said the lady in the counter.

She paid cash and picked up the bouquet in right hand and the candles in her left hand.

She turned around and said; let's go.

It was a hassle free shopping experience with women.

Oh god. Jesus Christ! Nidha said in an irritated way.

What happened now? I asked.

Men are supposed to be little more gentle and humble. Can't you carry this for me?

Your highness, don't be so lazy. It's just hundred meters from here to car and I am not you boyfriend or would be, to be so humble, I mocked her.

You are so mean. I don't mind you being my boyfriend for two minutes and carrying this till the car.

Then let me be more humble to carry you all the way till car on my shoulder as a two minute boyfriend, I quipped.

I saw Nidha walking away briskly murmuring; you are so dirty.

In next twenty minutes, we were in St. Peter's Cathedral. We parked the car in the parking lot.

Nidha looked at me and asked; will you come with me?

Yes, yes. I should be humble and gentle to you miss. I said with excitement.

Both of us went to the Church and I saw her covering her head using tail end of her Saree. Then I saw her on her knees doing some gestures and whispering something like mantra, which I was not familiar with.

While she was busy with her prayer, I was lost in my own thoughts, motivated by the new found companaro.

Am I here to meet my father in law? What if I were to marry her?

Will she be fine with it?

How will the society (which is so rigid) look at It.?After all who cares about the society?

How will the ‘Sangha Parivar’, of which I was a member in the past, would look at it?

How I should behave when I meet her parents?

Come let's go, Nidha said and her voice brought me back to reality.

She walked towards the left side from church's entrance and it led to a black gate. It was burial ground and the guard, opened the gate for us.

Nidha walked up to a tomb and placed the flower bouquet on the tomb and lit a candle. Then turned to me and said; this is where my parents sleep. She broke into tears and started weeping.

I who was all prepared to see her live parents was in shock and did not know how to console her. So I stood there watching her.

Then I went and sat next to her and said; see my friend, I am not really good at handling such scenario. But I would appreciate it, if you could stop weeping.

It's Okay, we will go. Nidha said in a chocked voice.

We came out of church compound and found a street vendor there who sells snacks, tea, soft drinks and cigarette.

We purchased lemon soda and cigarettes. Then we sat on the wooden bench which was placed under a tree's shade. Me and Nidha lit cigarette after a sip of soda.

What is the next plan? I asked.

I have offered a Requiem and it is at four o clock, she said.

Come let’s go and have food from somewhere and come back by four, she said.

We took the car and went searching for a hotel from where I and madam can have food. We found a Hotel in East Coast road. We parked the car in front of it and entered it. It was Neat and well maintained. The ambiance was great, because there were no other customer then i and Nidha. We ordered meals along with Chicken masala and a bottle of Pepsi, after going through the menu for few minutes.

You said, you are here to meet your parents, anniversary and why this suspense? I asked.

Yes, she said in a calm voice. It is their death anniversary and the anniversary of me becoming an orphan.

I am sorry to hear that. Can you tell me what happened? Why is everything about you is so cryptic? I asked.

My mom was from Kerala and my father was a Tamilian. My mom was working in a hospital, as a nurse in Pondicherry. That’s how they met, fell in love and got married. Few years after my birth, they got job in UAE and moved there. And I ended up in OOty residential school till my 12th. I hardly spent life with them. Every year they came during my school vacation. And spent a month with me and they will go back once, 30 days leave allotted by their employers is over. And i spent rest of my vacation in relative’s houses. They came to meet me like every year, after I passed my 12th and we were on our way to Velankani church. A truck rammed our car. It was a head on collision. My parents died in that mishap and the fate didn't let me go with them. She explained.

Then, how did you end up in US? I asked

Oh! That is because; I was all alone after they left. And my relatives here, wanted to loot our wealth by selling our property. So they found a reason to sell it, which is sending me to US for graduation. I was in love with a guy here and it continued for two years even after I left to US. Then he surprised me with an email invitation for his wedding. So it came to an end in an abrupt way.

My childhood wish was to be a nun. Now I think that I should have done the same. In this world, there is no meaning for relationships, other than parents. Yes I got married to a bastard and could not adjust with him for more than few months. I tried everything known, learnt and inherited to live with him. I failed. He was a drug addict and we were divorced legally in six months. After that I never thought about a relationship. Nidha explained her story briefly.

It's Okay, shit happens in life. I said to make her feel good.

Oh! Yes it does, but I am fine. She said with confidence.

Are you working or are into some business?

Yes I work for a company called Kaiser. It is a non-profit organization, she replied.

A non-profit organization? And what do they do? I asked.

We sell medical insurance, she replied.

But as far as I know insurance is profit making business, I asserted.

No, we spend the entire revenue generated by the company to build more hospitals.

Our medical insurance holders can avail treatment from our chain of hospitals and we are increasing the number of hospitals consistently. We are completely into social service, she explained.

Yes it is social service to the extent that your company is creating more facility for medical treatment. But it is to make profit and not completely social service. See you get profit by selling insurance and that profit is invested in building hospitals, which again will generate revenue. It's just treatment offered for money, though the money is coming from insurance, i argued.

Do you know, we get paid for creating awareness on various health issues as well as for distributing food and other supplies during calamities, she exclaimed.

That's called corporate social responsibility, which every other profit making corporate are into, I criticized.

Check what Mr. Bernie Sanders has got to say about such things, I added

Whatever, I work for Kaiser and it helps me to buy all that I want. Isn't that fare enough, she said.

Now tell me about yourself your majesty, she said.

About me? I don't know what I should say about me.

I dint want to tell her anything about my Bohemian life style and oblivion existence.

So I said; I am a commoner struggling hard to meet the ends. And of course I am single. I am also an orphan like you.

Oh, yes. Nandini did say that the driver didn't turn up and you are someone, who stays in a PG run by her uncle.

And why you are still a single? She asked.

Aha…, to be precise, I did not come across someone like you so far. I replied.

Someone like me? What you mean? She asked.

Someone like you, who is so sweet, beautiful, sexy, hot, caring, humble and what not?

Stop buttering me Prasad, she said with a smile.

OH! You call it buttering. Then know that you are worthy to be buttered. I said and continued. In fact I was never that serious about getting married so far. And in the last 3 years, when I thought about it seriously, it turned out to be a mess of all time.

Can you tell me what exactly happened? She wanted to know more.

I was looking for a heifer, but it turned out to be a complete mess, where looking at a women or smiling at a girl, is considered as love and can become commitment to marry her regardless of who she is, what she is and how she is going to be. All this was justified by some uncivilized people with a funny phrase which is 'thoopare and thaliparee'. Later, in a different scenario the same uncivilized people said that it is not love. Its just 'thoopare and thaliparee'.

Then saying a popular commercial caption like, "either jockey or nothing" can galvanize someone to live a loose life for several months, assuming that I am committed to marry her.

Similarly, being affable to a strange women, whom I met accidentally, unknowing that she is a secret sweet heart of a VIP, with kids born on the wrong side of the blanket, can also become commitment to marry.

I reading a poster on lamp post about job vacancies and calling that number mentioned there for a job, can also became a commitment to marry a slut with few mules or it was made to appear like that.

It even resulted in society playing 'dumb- sharad' with me for close to two years.

It even made some believe that I am commitment to marry someone, whom I never met or spoke.

It also became a hinge between me and the Hinduism.

I just came out of that mess by paying heavy penalt, I explained.

And I do write stories. It's my hobby.

You can visit my site to read them and that's about me, I said.

Awesome! We gel with each other, because we have many things in common, she said.

Yes, indeed, I agreed.

It was 3 o clock in the noon and we came out of restaurant and I lit a cigarette.

Nidha said that she already had two and do not want exceed her daily limit.

Then we drove back to the church to attend the Requiem mass at 4.30. On our way to church, the weather changed all of sudden and it started to drizzle. We parked the car in the parking lot and walked till church hall. It was still drizzling and we enjoyed it.

By 5 o clock, the mass was over and we came out of the church. It was raining heavily and we found a security guard standing at the door way, with an umbrella. We borrowed the umbrella.

Then both of us walked till the car, with me holding umbrella in my left hand and my right hand on her shoulder.

I think, I am going to get fever, Nidha said.

Really? Disappointing, I said.

Why would it disappoint you? She asked.

I thought, you are super hot and can't believe it is all because of fever. I mocked.

I did say that you are unbearable. Now I feel uncomfortable walking with you, she quipped.

This discomfort is something which I felt the movement I saw you and was not comfortable saying it, I said.

I know that you are a spoiled brat and you don't have to say anything to prove that, she replied.

Hoy maydam, you should not say this. We were together so far. I never did anything wrong. Now you are walking so close to me under this umbrella with my arm on your shoulder. It's raining. It's perfect for love and romance. Yet, I didn't misbehave with you. Then why do you say that I am a spoiled brat? I question.

Yeah, you dint misbehave! It's only because, I dint let you do so. Now shut up and get in, she said.

We were at the driver side door and I got into the car.

Nidha took umbrella from me and boarded the car and sat in the front seat on my left.

We drove close to the lobby of Church hall and gave umbrella to the guard and thanked him. Nidha added value to thanks, by giving him 20 rupees.

Stop at somewhere and get me a hot cup of coffee and Pill for fever, please. I am feeling feverish. Nidha ordered.

Anything else, your highness? I mocked.

Yes, please don't harass me. I am sick. Nidha replied.

You mean physical, to be more precise sexual harassment? I won't, at least till you get well. I replied.

Oh god, why can't you just kill me, she said punching me on my shoulder.

I stopped at next medical store on the way and brought one strip of Paracetamol and gave to Nidha saying; one in the evening, one in the night, one in the morning and noon and repeat it, till it's over or till you get well. Consult a doctor, if it continues for more than two days.

Jeez....., why can't you just kill? What's wrong with you?

I don't know what is wrong. May be it is wrong in US but not India.

And this what our union government says, I said.

Oh god. How silly you are? I thought you were pulling my legs. I am sorry. I wasn’t aware of this government order here. Thank you so much, Nidha said.

I stopped at next tea shop and it was still drizzling. So I asked Nidha to stay in car.

I went and had a tea along with a hot chilly baggi. Then I took a cup of coffee in Styrofoam cup and two chilly baggi wrapped in newspaper to Nidha, who was sitting in the car. I finished two cigarettes one after the other, while Nidha finished her coffee along with baggi.

I am little drowsy and I will sleep for a while, if you don't mind, Nidha said.

Whatever pleases you, your majesty, I agreed.

Three hours of drive made us reach Chennai by 8Pm.

After dropping Nidha at Nandini Akka's home, I went to the bar in our area to take care of my personal affair.

Next morning I got up around 11Am.

By 12 Pm, I was about to go out to eat and I got a call from the number I saved on the previous day and the caller’s name appeared as Nidha.

And that call made me forget my appetite, which was strong enough to make me eat any bizarre food.

Is this madam calling me, because she needs someone to drive her to some place? I said to myself.

Hello, I answered the phone.

Hi, I am Nidha; I heard her sweet voice from the other end.

Yes your highness. How are you? I am glad to hear from you, I said in a dramatic way.

I am fine and not sick like yesterday. Would you be kind to meet me today, if you are not occupied with your business? She requested in her sweet voice.

Yes your highness, there is no better business than meeting you and spending time with you, i said. I dint want to miss it.

Okay, then meet me at Anna clock tower by 3pm, she said

.

Is it a date or are you in need of someone to accompany you, while you do your crazy shopping? I applied my street smartness.

You are so mean. I am not a shopaholic. It's just a treat for you and I don't mind, if you call it a date, she said.

Perfect, the line, hook and sinker.

Okay agreed, at 3Pm, i said.

Good, I like your obedience, she mocked me.

And if you don't mind, I have a request, she lamented.

Tell me what is it? I asked impatiently.

Can you please wear jeans instead of your lungi? I just wanted to see you in something,

other than the great Indian tradition, Nidha said.

Okay, I agreed.

I also have a similar request for you, your highness, I said.

Okay, go ahead. She replied.

If you don't mind, can you come without the makeup? I just wanted to see the real you without the cosmetic coating. I mocked her.

Yes, I will. Jeez you are so mean. Can I wash my face and comb my hair at least? She replied.

Okay at 3 o clock, I said before hanging the phone.

I dint want to be late, but my 3 o clock became 3.15, when I reached Anna clock tower.

And I was shocked, once again to see Nidha in a yellow round neck T-shirt which had 'PePe jeans London' stenciled on it and a blue jeans along with canvass shoes.

Her mesmerizing beauty and charm stunned me once again and could not believe it's without any make-up.

You said we will meet at 3 o clock and its 3:20, she cribbed.

I am sorry, I was held up with some work, I explained.

It is not right to make a women wait, she continued.

Oh madam, it's India and for us 3 o clock could mean, 3, 3:5, 3:10. So i am late by just few minutes, I tried to convince.

She noticed me scanning her from top till toes.

It's me without make-up. Is everything fine or do you have any suggestions? She asked.

You are awesome. But I didn’t know that you will have red shiny lips without makeup, I mocked.

She took out a lip balm from her pocket and applied it on her lips. Then she gave it to me as a reply for what I said.

‘NIVEA watermelon shine’ was the name on it in bold letters.

What am I supposed to do with? I asked.

Just keep it in your pocket, she replied.

So what is the plan? I asked.

She pulled out a Boucher from her pocket

It was about a play by name, ONCE UPON A TIME, in Mylapoor Fine Arts Club, which starts at 7 Pm.

It starts at 7 Pm and what are we going to do till then, I asked.

Yesterday night, I read your blogs and I found you glorifying your drinking habits in all of them. It looks like you enjoy it a lot. So how about few pegs, she presented her plan.

Okay, i don’t mind. But I usually go to cheap bars which are more or less a den and I am not familiar with places, where I can take you for a drink. I expressed my concern.

That's okay. We will go to the same kind of place from where you usually drink, she said with excitement.

My friend, we are not in US. Especially here in Chennai, the society won't accept women drinking, that too in a local bar.

That's all right; we will just give it a try and see how the public will react. She was adamant.

Few minutes later, we were in a bar with Asbestos sheet roofing, few marble slab tables and plastic chairs. It was 3:30Pm and there they do not offer happy hours. So it was empty, other than three old people in the corner table.

A guy came to take order and Nidha was looking for a menu card, which is not a practice there.

What would you like to drink? Vodka, Beer, Rum, Whisky, I asked and gave her the menu verbally.

I don't drink much, anything that's smooth and takes me high should be fine, she replied.

Then, i ordered a Smirnoff vodka for her and an Old Monk for me, along with egg kalaki, kozambu etc.

After gulping one peg of Vodka, Nidha started singing; I am sleepy, yesterday I spent some time going through your blogs and slept late. Today Nandini woke me up early to take me along with her to Vada Palani temple.

Just stop lying. Yesterday you said that you are a Christian and today you sacrificed your sleep to go to temple, is it? I tried to pull her legs.

Oh! That was yesterday, today I am a Hindu and my name is Nidha Krishnamurthy.

Seriously, that is the name Nandini said for me, when then priest asked.

And tomorrow I will be a Muslim with my name being Nidha Ahmed. Will it really make any difference? She continued to sing.

Her songs irritated me, but it made me think, how last name can change one's faith and the community a person belongs to, in society. It also reminded me about me recently trying to purchase a sim card in Mumbai. No shop owners were ready to agree with my ID card as well as with my sir name. They were expecting some regular one's like Singh, Patel, Chowdary, Sharma etc. And that made me sing, "My name is… (what?), my name is… (Who?) My name is…Slim shady ", in Mumbai streets, for 3 days to get a sim card.

I saw Nidha gulping her third peg and leaning on me to sing further.

Prasad, are you interested in me? She asked.

'Did madam got drunk, only to propose?' I asked to myself.

What do you mean? I needed clarification.

Can we continue with this relationship for a while? I mean, for the rest of our life. She asked in a serious tone.

Your highness, you are a great companion. But I am not interested in a relationship which works like distance education program. I rejected her proposal.

What you mean by distance education program, she asked.

Your highness, you will go to US in another 3 days and I will be here. So our relationship will go more or less like a distance education program, I clarified.

So your problem is not me and it is me going back to US, she said with excitement.

No, in fact it's just one of the issues, I replied with reluctance.

Just say whether you want me or not? Her words were sharper than ever.

Her question made me order one more quarter of Old Monk.

If your only problem is me going back to US in 3 days, then I can get you a job visa there, she said and every word of her, spoke volumes about how much she needed me.

Getting a job visa there will be easier than, I getting a passport from Indian Union, I expressed my concern.

Why is it so? Isn't it faster nowadays? Or have you involved in any sort of crime? Good, am I falling for a criminal? She asked with anxiety and humor.

It is a different issue and just an hour or two won't be enough to explain it, it tried to convince her.

My statement silenced her for a while. And I finished my sixth peg.

It's already 6:30Pm and the show starts at 7o clock. So let's go, I said breaking the silence.

At sharp 7, we were sitting in theatre hall of Mylapoor Fine Arts Club.

We were in the front row and Nidha sat next to me on my left side. They announced that the play will start in few minutes. Nidha was leaning on me, with her head on my shoulder.

She sat straight and looked into eyes and said; I think I have an idea, if it is a problem for you to come there.

What is it? I asked, knowing what she is going to say.

I will resign my job and sell my house which is already mortgaged. I have some investment there and converting that into rupee will make it even bigger. Nidha said this and paused to look at my face.

I chose not to spoil the evening as well as the mood being drunk. So I put my hand on her shoulder and said; we will discuss it later.

She kissed on my cheek and slept leaning her head on my shoulder.

After some time, I saw her enjoying sleep, more than I enjoyed the play and her presence next to me.

The curtains went up in few minutes and the play started with people dressed like Narayana Guru, Thiruvalluvar , Basavanna, Sarvajna, Ayyankali, Swamy Vivekananda etc .coming onto the stage one by one an saying some of their famous quotes or message.

The story starts with two young traders by Rama and Shama, coming into a city with two carts full of handmade toys, cutlery, vegetable and fruits to sell.

First they opened their stall at one end of the city and stayed there for the whole day without any sales. They came across many who showed interest in purchasing few items from their cart. But all of them spoke to them in riddles and each one of them said a women's name. The two young traders were ignorant, about what their customers are saying and kept talking about their products and discount they can offer.

That way, the young traders spent three days in the city without any sale. They even tried improving their selling skills, which they learned from their master, every night before going to sleep.

Then they tried placing their cart in different areas, only to be disappointed. That way they spent a week in that city without any sale. By then, they were familiar with few names, they heard from their customers and they were; ‘Ramba’, ‘Menaka’, ‘Thilothama’, ‘Narthaki’ etc.

By then all the food, they brought from their village was over and they started eating from hotel. They dumped all fruits and vegetables, because they started to decay and was not edible anymore. They eating from hotel emptied their pockets in few days. That way they started living on a meal or two per day. Many of their hand made goods damaged, while shifting the tent from one place to another.

Then one day a customer walked in and said, ‘Thilothamma’. Rama was familiar with this name, which he heard often from customers, since the day he came to this city.

Yes, Rama replied

That customer happily bought few articles from Rama and paid little more than the price he coated.

. After that customer left, Rama told his brother, that to sell their goods in this market, they just should say 'yes', when a customer tells the name of a women.

So they did that and the sales were good for a day.

Next day, they saw customers walking in. And all customers started showing a red face, after the boys said yes to a female’s name. Some even damaged their goods as well as the cart. That way they ended up starving and fell sick. They visited a doctor in the town for treatment and the doctor denied treat for them saying that, their flu is serious illness and get someone along with them to get treatment.

Next day they went to the old man running a tea shop. They narrated their sob story to the old man. They asked him the reason for this strange behavior of the People in that town.

The old man agreed to explain it and said; long ago there was a farmer and his family, who lived in this town. The farmers had a son by Soma. He was an activist, since he was young. Being an activist, he messed with many wealthy and influential people. He even became a headache for the government.

At once, the government decided to acquire the entire villagers land for a businessman. Soma spear headed the protest against this move by the government. His father died in between. The businessmen along with the help of rulers, decided to pay more than the price demanded by farmers, through a secret channel. The businessman and the rulers hatched a plot to teach, Soma a lesson. The rulers manipulated documents to void the title Soma had and forfeited his land and auction it to the businessmen.

Soma was also a saint, who at a particular age became a vegan and gave up all worldly pleasure. His life was restricted to just place of worship, work and meditation. He kept away from all his friends.

Soma went to different cities in search of livelihood; but the rulers spoiled all his efforts by creating petty issues. Every time, a loss of job, a change in his place of dwelling and moving to new city, in search of job, resulted financial loses and this went on for years. All this was masterminded by dynasty rulers and executed through someone from society. That way, society taken away, all that he had, all that wanted and all that he loved.

Later, they realized that he is not left with anything. So they came up with a plan to take away all his virtuousness to make him their servant, for the rest of his life. So a girl's family showed extreme interest in him, with few demands like, Soma should change his food habits, should stop his prayer and meditation etc. Gradually Soma started eating all sorts of meat and sea food. He, who used to drink occasionally, became a drunkard. But he still continued with his prayer and meditation. Later he got to know that it was a plot to destroy him completely and girl is someone lacks character.

This messed his life a lot, because it was made to appear like an issue of caste. Later it became a prerequisite (to encourage and entertain such maladjustment which is nothing but glorifying someone's dirtiness, someone's vulgarness and someone's shamelessness to earn a meal or to reside at a place). And because it was made to appear like a caste issue, it became a competition between castes to settle his life through maladjustment. So he was haunted by the society where caste A will inform him about a bitch belonging to caste B and her dirtiness. Similarly caste B, C, D will follow the suit. This of course made Soma find solace in Soma-rasa (Alcohol).

On the other hand, he had certain religious obligations to fulfill, which is like maintaining a garden and he failed to do that, because often he suffered without food and a place to stay. Effects of failing to fulfill his religious duties, added more to his trouble.

He believed in a religion which said, having sex only for pleasure is a sin. It should be to produce offspring. But he was told that he cannot produce offspring or even if he does, it will have so many complications. But he should marry someone with a mule or two. All this theories were slapped upon him, to justify this maladjustment, which is nothing more than prostitution administered by society.

Then, he was told that all this is, because of his father, his mother (parents). It is said that those who worship Satan, will follow 18 Commandments like Ten Commandments followed by Christians. Of this 18 Commandments followed by those who worship Satan, the first Commandment is to hate and disrespect parents.

Even his ability to think was spoiled by keeping him busy all the time, with someone's vulgarness. His brain was fed with such dirtiness consistently, thus making him have the most corrupt mindset. This also made him fight for things he never wanted, than fighting for something he wanted in life. All the parties involved in this game, knew that Soma is innocent. He did inform some of them to keep away from this nasty game in which, he is not interested. But none was ready to give up, because they took this act of shamelessness as their pride. Finally, they went on to teach Soma that, his mother also is a bitch. So it is okay to marry a bitch, from one of their Caste.

The entire show was scripted and directed by the dynasty rulers. They were notorious for their brutal legacy. Their brutal legacy includes helping a foreign business man escape after killing several civilians, using poisonous gases. Their brutal legacy includes incidents like mass murder, which was an attempt do ethnic cleansing of large community with a motto, 'blood for blood'. They also helped foreign forces to dump large quantity of arms and ammunition to destroy a small state and its rulers.

Hence, Soma cursed all of them, who were responsible for his misery. As a result of that curse, all those women who were used to haunt him remained unmarried and remained as prostitutes till the end of their life. All those who told him about other’s dirtiness also had some humiliating situation in their personal life. Soma also said that the dynasty will come to an end and anyone who supports the dynasty will either not produces offspring. And if they produce offspring, all male children will be with so many complications like dumb, deaf, retarded and crippled. And their girl child will grow up as superb hot and sexy women, only to live the life of a prostitute, whose kids will not have a father. That is why we have so many women in this city, who are from the family of those who supported that dynasty. It is for this reason; they will haunt any young man coming here for livelihood.

The Old man who runs the tea shop, explained the reason for their trouble.

And what happened to Soma, Rama and Shama asked in one voice being queries to know.

He got married to a young and beautiful woman. He lived a great life and was blessed to have two kids in few years after wedding. Those kids were perfect, without any complications. Old tea seller explained.

With that the play came to an end and I saw curtains coming down along with light going ‘on’ in the theater.

I looked at Nidha, to wake her up from sleep. I could see her lower back tattoo through the gap in-between her jeans and T-Shirt. It was a creeper on barbed wire with a flower hanging on it.

I dropped Nidha at Nandini Akka’s house by around nine and went straight to the bar.

I got a call from Nidha, around 11 Am on the following day.

Hello, I said with excitement.

Hello, Nandini's friend can get us tickets for IPL. It starts at four and is between CSK & KKR. Can you come along with me? Nidha asked in her sweet voice.

No I do not have such craze for Cricket, I replied.

Then, how about a movie in the evening? She presented plan B.

What do you want Nidha? First Cricket match, then movie? Just say that you want to spend some time with me. I said.

Exactly, i am leaving tomorrow and I just wanted to spend some time with you, she replied.

Okay, then how about going for a walk in the evening, I gave my idea which consumes less time.

Okay, then come to Nandini's house at 6 in the evening, she said quickly.

Agreed, I said before ending the call.

At six in the evening, I was at Nandini Akka's house after my shower.

What is this da? I just hired you for one day as her driver and got to know that you both can't live without seeing each other even for a day. Nandini Akka started pulling my legs.

No Akka....it just, I fumbled.

No Akka, call me Nandini, I am her classmate. She will leave tomorrow. Are you planning to go along with her? She said and continued; your friend is getting ready. Do you want a coffee or tea?

Then we saw Nidha walking down the stairs in a blue top and black loose pants, being fresh after shower.

I and Nidha walked out saying no to Nandini's coffee.

Nidha kept me busy talking about her flight timing, things she purchased along with Nandini, packing her bag and what not.

After walking for a while, we reached a coffee shop, where they sell coffee and different kinds of baggi.

There were few tables in the open air under a tree and we occupied one of it.

I said, I am leaving tomorrow and you din't say a word yet, she gave introduction to the topic i was trying to avoid.

I didn’t say a word about, what? I asked.

About what we discussed yesterday, she again put me in an uncomfortable situation.

Am i not acceptable for you because, I am a divorcee? Her question was more aggressive than i expected.

No, actually that's not the issue, I replied.

Oh, jeez are you the one who told me yesterday that we just have to be true to yourself and not to the society. I am not a Hindu, isn't that your problem? She started finding reason for my rejection.

No, not at all, I tried to ease the situation.

Then what is your problem? She was shouting on top of her voice, which was audible to everyone around.

You are a great companion. The three days I spent with you was great. It will remain as most memorable days in my life. You are more than acceptable for me, but it's just a personal tragedy that happened in my life. Also a wow that stops me from saying yes to you, I tried to calm her.

Can you at least say what that tragedy was and what was your great wow? She was fuming.

No, I think. Sorry, I don't think, I can say that, I din’t have a perfect excuse.

Then you are just brushing me, she said with anger.

Can you please calm down? I requested.

She was silent, so I continued;

Don't you think, it's just an infatuation to some great extent? We met just 3days ago and we were great to each other and now you are fighting with me. I explained.

Okay, I am sorry. We are friends. I thought i will be a Cinderella. You will come on a white horse and take me away, while I watch out of the window. She said with a smile.

Yes, even I wish i could be the one who will hold your hand and fly through the clouds, I said in the same tone.

Now, can you at least say, what that wow and tragedy is all about? She started again.

Can we please talk about something other than that, I said in a serious tone.

Okay, let me not hurt you then, Nidha said casually.

By then we finished two rounds of coffee and decided to walk back towards home.

My flight is at 9Am tomorrow. I should be in airport by 7Am. Nandini will drop me till airport. Can you also come along with her? Nidha asked.

No, I won't. I have some work tomorrow in the morning. I said to avoid getting up early in the morning.

She was silent again, so I continued to convince her;

Chennai airport is hardly 15 minutes drive from here, I said.

Why are you so mean and rude? Just say you can't come, Nidha shouted.

After reaching Nandini's house, Nidha said; I have purchased a Kanchipuram silk Saree in the morning though I don't wear Saree often in US. I would appreciate it, if you could just see and let me know, if it suits me.

I followed her, all the way till guest room in the first floor. She showed me the Saree and several other things, she purchased.

I am sorry, I din't purchase anything for you, Nidha said in an apologetic way.

That's okay. I don't want any present from you. Your presence in 3 days of my life is more than any gift you could think off. I applied my buttering skills with certain amount of genuineness and sincerity.

Yes, indeed. It is the same feeling I have. Then why don't we continue for the rest of our life together, Nidha again brought back the topic I was trying to avoid.

Ho no, please don't bug me, I said.

I was about to leave.

Wait, Nidha said all in a hurry and held my hand. She came and stood in front of me. She hugged me tightly. Followed by it was a French kiss which lasted for few minutes and it made me float in the clouds.

Both of us distanced from each other, even before the situation could get more serious.

That way it turned out to be an abrupt ending.

Soon after I reached my PG, I got a call from Nidha and we spoke about everything under the sky for more than hour, even without knowing what we were speaking. Finally, she ended the call saying she is getting late to pack her bag.

Next morning I got up around 10Am to see few missed calls from Nidha.

Three days later, I got a call from Nidha at 12 Am in the night. I was in sleeping after consuming generous amount of alcohol and food. Being half awake and half sleepy, I said; Hello.

Hi, how are you dear, I heard Nidha's sweet voice from the other end.

I am sleepy, why can't you call me sometime during the day, I said.

Oh, yeah. It is day here and I just wanted to spoil your sleep, she said.

After few pleasantries, Nidha brought back the touchy topic with which I am not comfortable. My lazy replies made her shout and scream over the phone. At last she ended the call saying; you are....... you are what goes into ant’s mouth.

I lit a cigarette and thought about that one last sentence for a while. I could not figure out, what she meant or I was confused about it. I extinguished cigarette into ashtray and saw her lip balm on the table, which she gave me on the day we drank together. And it made me skip a beat.

Next morning, I woke up hearing the ring tone on my phone. It was Nidha again.

Hello, I answered it.

Hey, I just came back from work and wanted to wake you up from sleep, Nidha said with excitement. But the conversation ended with, she bringing the same topic which I was not comfortable with. Followed by that was her abuses and I was clear about, what she said previous night and what she actually meant.

That way, she spoiled my sleep yesterday and also spoiled my morning. And this made me think; what is her problem? So typed 'problems of women' on Google. And what I saw there, disturbed me. It spoiled my sleep for several days. And that’s what makes me write this.

Problems of women are many and they are endless. Among them gender disparity in education which hampers their job opportunity and earning capability is not the only issue, they face from parents. Even nutritious food intake for a girl child is not in par with their male counterpart in rural India. In addition to this, they start working at very young age, which affects their growth significantly. So the girl child, whose education comes to an end and starts working at a young age, will also become a burden for their parents. This will lead to her wedding at an age, when She is not matured. And if this is followed by domestic violence or dowry harassment, then that makes her life a complete package of misery. As a result of all this, she will suffer from depression and various other ailments at a very young age. In fact in India the gender disparity starts even before birth. India is still a land of missing women. A study in 2011, reported that as a result of selective abortions between 1989 and 2010, foeticide claimed the lives of 12 million Indian girls.

India rates poorly in global human development rankings. In 2018, it ranked 130 out of 189 countries, and stands at 127 in the gender inequality index.

To say, how empowered is India's surviving female population ( about 59 core) in terms of access to basics health rights.

The national family health survey (NFHS-4) 2015-16 shows that less than two-thirds (63%) of married women have any say in their own health care or other household decisions. And 30%of women experience physical violence since the age of 15. Further, 33% of married women experience physical violence, 14% sexual violence and 7% spousal sexual violence. One-fourth of married women sustained physical injuries, but only 14% of them sought any help to stop the violence. This was a decline from the 24% in the previous NFHS survey (NFHS-3) and it raises serious questions on law enforcement, feminists, activists and government body setup to help women.

Feminism and gender equality has become a fashion in contemporary India. Many educated women take pride in saying that they are feminists, even without knowing what it actually means and what it should be for. Various NGO's which is headed by star activists like Thrupti Desai, are just into the business of making name and fame.

As per World Economic Forum report 2018, it may takes more than 200 years to achieve gender parity and wage equality in work places around the globe. The Geneva based organization’s annual report tracked disparities between the sexes in 149 countries across four areas: education, health, economic opportunity and political empowerment.

Men and women were most equal in Iceland followed by Norway, Sweden and Finland. USA stands at 51st and France fared the best among world's 20 leading economies taking 12th place followed by Germany in 14th place, Britain in 15th and Canada in 16th place. And India, the fifth largest economy is nowhere near these countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, women welfare was never a priority for the previous government, while addressing the fifth national committee of the BJP Mahila Morcha. Women in the country reposed faith in BJP, after exploring various options. He said his government's flagship schemes like, Swachh Bharat scheme, Ujjwala scheme, Beti Bachao- Beti Padhao and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yogana where 75% house owners are women. Eighteen crore of the total Jan Dan Bank accounts belongs to women.

All of the above stated schemes has several flaws and most of this schemes failed to produce desired results due to Inadequate funding. And there are more pressing issues concerning women, even if one were to consider them as great achievements.

Entire nation went on strike on Asifa rape case and days later there was another girl by name Geetha, who was also raped brutally. Media made no noise about the second incident because, they got used to it. Same was the reaction of activists and political parties, for the same reason that they got used to such incidents. Our Prime Minister Modi maintained silence while, Sangha Parivar and affiliates made big uproar about it saying, biased media is supporting Muslims, ignoring the fact that it is young kids who were brutally raped. Sangha Parivar the ideological mentors of BJP, never thought of mentoring BJP to draft a policy to avoid such incidents.

The average of rapes and molestation cases reported in India over the three years is much more than one per day. And several cases are hushed by society or the victims won't report it for obvious reasons.

Even the media tried to downplay the ongoing issue, by starting 'Me Too movement'. Me too a stupefying show, where many confessed about sexual abuse by a colleague or boss, which happened years ago and they worked together and were friends for years after that. And the elected government has not taken any steps to stop or at least reduce this menace.

The shocking incidents which came to light in the last few years will raise questions about our culture, upbringing, civilization and what not. Here I am quoting few of them, which is just a tip of an iceberg;

A group of armed men abducted a 15 year old girl, while she was on her way back home with friends, after birthday party and took her to a forest in Namkum near Ranchi, where they gang raped her at gunpoint.

Bengaluru police have lodged a case against a man who allegedly raped his 16 year old daughter for over a period of two years under the garb of 'imparting sexual education' and it came to light on 13 Dec 2018.

In Pune a man repeatedly raped his 17 year old sister for months and the victim gives birth to a boy, which came to light on 24 Dec 2018.

In Mumbai, a 10 year old girl was gang-raped for over a year. Her cousin started the sexual abuse.

Another case of crime against women was lodged in Thiruvallur district of Tamil on 24 Dec2018 And, where the headmaster of a government run school has been on the run, after he allegedly sexually abused female students within the school premises.

There was another incident happened in chhattisgarh, which is an insult and disgrace to mankind. It also is a text book example of how the society hushes such barbaric acts. It also talks volumes about our society, which is civilized with a popular notion that wealthy and influential people should be allowed to go Scot free, after involving in such heinous crime. And the victims will either get compensation or will be allowed to live, if they choose to be silent.

Raipur panchayat in Chhattisgarh's tribal Jashpur district forced parents of three raped girls of which two are minor siblings- into a compromise with the accused on July 5 2018. The surpanch's collected a fine of rupees 10000 from three accused and offered a meat feast(mutton party) for the entire village and distributed the remaining money equally among 45 people which is rupees 485 per person. Then they declared, 'justice delivered'.

The families of the raped girl were far from satisfied. One of them was courageous enough to approach media and that is how the world around got to know about this brutal 'mutton party justice'.

Ironically, our union government din't even think of an idea to eradicate this issue.

Government should have set up an enquiry commission to find ways to reduce and eventually stop this menace.

Government should have also made this, part of school curriculum to teach our children the impact it can make on victims (psychological and physical). Instead they are busy changing history to please Sangh Parivar.

Why not having a separate helpline for women to call and complain, if they are paid less than their male counterparts for the same job. And it should start first with programs like MGNREGS.

It is not possible to deploy police in every street of cosmopolitan cities in India. But the government can provide a GPS system to every taxi and auto rickshaws at subsidized price and make it mandatory to get permit. And if the device is equipped with a panic button, which alerts the nearest police station through voice call and shares the live location, then it help us a lot to control overall crime rate, including crime on women. Taxis run all day and night. The driver can alert police about any crime they come across. They can send live location, even if they can’t speak from where the crime is happening.

Why can’t our government initiate a study into the psychological factors leading to rape and molestation?

Prime Minister Modi who never took this issue seriously said ‘yatra nari pujyante tatra ramante devta’, several times in India as well in foreign soil, while addressing a gathering. In fact he himself is someone who ditched his wife to take-up his political ambitions. Modi the the Sri Rama Chandra and Amit Shah the Lakshmana of contemporary India are worse than the Ravana the asura. In fact Ravana was far better than the contemporary Rama and Lakshmana.

Now Modi is leading the Ramarajya called BJP, which has highest number of Molesters. Among the major parties in the last 5 years, 47 candidates with declared cases of crime against women were given ticket by BJP. Following is a list of incidents of rape and molestation, in which BJP leaders were involved;

BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar from Uttar Pradesh is an accused in rape of a 17 year old minor girl. No police accepted compliant from the rape survivor, till she attempted to immolate herself in front of the residence of Chief Minister Yogi Adithyanath and pressure from media followed by it.

The minor’s victim’s father was killed in judicial custody, allegedly due to injuries he suffered after being assaulted by the MLA’s brother and his aides.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Ashok Taneja was arrested after his daughter accused him of raping her for eight years. A medical examination confirmed that the girl was subjected to intercourse.

A 21-year-old woman in Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh claimed that she was raped by the nephew of a local BJP leader inside the party office

A tribal girl in Baitul district of Madhya Pradesh was allegedly gang raped by a local BJP leader and his five accomplices for refusing to withdraw a molestation case filed against him by her.

llegations of rape had surfaced against the BJP leader Krishnamurti Bandhi from Bilaspur district. The complaint had been leveled by a woman who was later found burnt in mysterious circumstances.

40 year old BJP leader by Narayan Mali, had rapped a seven-year-old girl for two months, in Agra district of Madhya Pradesh.

Bhojpal Singh, a BJP leader and two of his aides were booked for allegedly gang raping a Dalit woman after promising her to help in getting a BPL card in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena.

Jayesh Patel (66), a Gujarat BJP leader and the founder-president of the privately owned Parul University in Vadodara, was booked for rape, after a 22-year-old nursing student of the university.

A 24-year-old woman was gang-raped by 10 people, including four local BJP leaders in Gujarat’s Kutch district. The four leaders named in the complaint were Shantilal Solanki, Govind Parumalani, Ajit Ramvani and Vasant Bhanushali.

Former Delhi BJP MLA Vijay Jolly was booked in a case of rape after a woman alleged that he drugged and assaulted her.

BJP corporator from Kashimira Anil Bhosale was booked for allegedly raping and having unnatural sex with a 44-year-old married woman.

A local BJP leader in Gujarat was arrested for molesting a 13 years old girl on a Goa-Ahmedabad flight of IndiGo airlines, six months after the incident. The accused is Gandhinagar-based Ashok Makwana, a local BJP leader and labour contractor.

A 38-year-old woman from Chitradurga filed a rape case against a BJP leader, alleging that BJP leader Venkatesh Maurya came in contact with her in 2010 and introduced himself as a BJP leader and a member of the National Executive Council of BJP’s SC Morcha.

The Uttarakhand Police booked BJP leader Harak Singh Rawat after a complaint on charges of rape and harassment was lodged against him by a 32-year-old woman.

A Delhi court put on trial BJP leader Umesh Aggarwal from Gurgaon and two others for allegedly drugging and raping a 30-year-old woman in a hotel in Faridabad.

A Madhya Pradesh BJP leader Hamid Sardar and five others, including a woman, were arrested in a case of sexual assault and trafficking of a minor girl from Assam.

Summons were issued by a lower court to Nihal Chand in a sexual assault case, the lone MP from Rajasthan, who had got a berth in Narendra Modi's council of ministers. The court order came following a revision petition by a 20-year-old, who had accused her husband and his friends of sexually exploiting her.

D N Jeevaraj, BJP leader from Sringeri district was booked for kidnapping and raping a 23-year-old woman in Chikmagalur district in Karnataka.

Former Cooperative Bank Chairman and former BJP leader Pramod Gupta was sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court in a five years old rape case.

Former Madhya Pradesh minister, 79-year-old Raghavji like Modiji, was accused of sexual abuse by his domestic help. He had resigned as state finance minister earlier after a CD purportedly featuring him surfaced and his domestic help filed a police complaint alleging that she was being sexually exploited by the minister.

Senior BJP leader and the then Maharashtra spokesperson for the party, Madhu Chavan was charged with rape, following a complaint by a woman, who alleged that she had been in a relationship with the former MLA for the last 20 years but he had not fulfilled the promise of marrying her.

Former Karnataka food and civil supplies minister H Halappa was arrested in connection with a rape case filed against him by his friend's wife.

There are many more, I just could not add them due time constraints.

TO BE CONTINUED…

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