On Sunday, when International Women's Day is being celebrated with much fervour, women in the city are still pondering over fundamental issues related to their dignity and freedom in society, which was promised even by the Constitution

UNSAFE CITY

Bharti Mishra Nath,Bangalore-based journalist (born and brought up in Patna)

A place is truly progressive if its culture manifests a respectful place for women. Can the same be said about the womenfolk in Patna? Can they go about on their own at any time of the day and night without fear of being eve-teased, molested or stalked?

I stayed in Kankerbagh Colony and used to travel to my school (Notre Dame Academy) by bus to Pataliputra Colony. Going to the bus-stop, and waiting for the bus used to be a nightmare.

The feudal mindset of the society has to change.

MINDSET MATTERS

Kiran Ghai,retired teacher and politician (born and brought up in Patna)

As a Patna woman I would love my city to be a place where girls can enjoy freedom in a true sense. It was not the case when we were students, some five decades back, and it is not the case even now in the 21st century when the world has taken huge leaps.

Patna has changed for the worse. During our college days there used to be cases of eve-teasing but the magnitude was very low.

The corrective course would have to be taken at the family level first. Parents should tell their sons to behave properly. Inculcating good values among sons is the responsibility of the parents.

CHANGE FOR BETTER

Jasbir Kaur Sharan, Motihari-based gynaecologist (born and brought up in Patna)

I feel sad whenever I visit Patna, my native place, where I spent my childhood days and got school education (St Joseph's Convent), which provided me the base for becoming a successful doctor.

As a woman one feels insecure while moving on Patna's roads and this sense of insecurity has increased with every passing year.

As a woman, I would love things to change for the better. Apart from family, which can inculcate good values among its sons, when it comes to respecting women, I would like police to play an active role.

STATE OF MIND

Anju Pandey, homemaker

Being a mother of two daughters, I want my city to be safer for them. I want the administration to take strict action against all sorts of crimes against women.

I am proud that Bihar was the first state to give 50 per cent reservation to women in panchayats. But there are still miles to go. Patna is still struggling for basic amenities, including smooth roads and sanitation. I want my city to get proper streetlights. Empowerment is a state of mind and it comes from independence.

TREAT US AS EQUALS

Ishit Yamini, model

In a nation with a patriarchal mindset and with daily news full of crimes against women, my problem is - how do I wish "Happy Women's Day!" I don't want to be respected or treated nicely on a particular day and molested, raped, groped, killed the other 364 days. I don't want to be touched inappropriately or groped in a public transport.

I don't want men to respect us just because we are mothers, daughters and sisters but also because we are humans. I don't want my city to stereotype me for wearing certain clothes. I want parents of the city to let the girls live on their own terms.