All women out there...check this out!

With the rising crimes against women, safety for them has become a prime concern in the society. Women today are insecure, face violence, and sexual assault etc., at public places, work places, hotels or even home. It is time for all women out there to take charge of your security and be prepared to confront the attacker.

Though self-defense trainings are always advisable, but let’s check out some personal safety aids and gadgets that you must carry and be trained to use when attacked or in case of emergency.

Mobile applications: Many mobile application development companies have come up with safety app solutions across various operating systems, especially for women. Some of these can be even downloaded for free. Some safety apps, such as OnWatch, Scream Alarm, Fightback, Circle of 6, Eyewatch, S&S Rescue Pack, YWCA Safety Alert, and One Touch SOS can turn mobile phones into safety alert devices that provide information on your current location and alert family and friends that you need help.

Stun Gun and Taser Gun: Also known as Electro-magnetic Device (EDM), stun and taser guns can be used to injure an attacker with an electric shock. This weakens him and the victim gets enough time to escape and raise alarm. These devices are small and easy to carry in purse, wallets or even belts. They are also available as keychains or cellphones.

Stun baton: Though has the shape of a baton, stun baton is available in loops or folded forms, so that can be easily kept in purse or wallets. It temporarily disables the attacker through a high-voltage electric shock. Many stun batons have high decibel alarm too that combined with electric shock result in loss of muscle control and makes the attacker weak. It takes about 10 minutes for the attacker to recover.

Pepper spray: Pepper spray is a popular self defense aid for women. Its main ingredient, oleoresin capsicum (OC) or chili pepper, is an inflammatory agent. The spray causes tearing and burning sensation in the eyes along with breathing problem for some time. They are available in lipstick, keychain and small bottles forms that are easy to carry.

Mace spray: Like pepper spray they also cause excessive flow of tears, burning sensation and coughing and sneezing.

Stun rings: This nice looking ring contains strong pepper spray that can be used by women when attacked. Since it looks like a jewellery piece, the attacker is ignorant about it and the sudden shot makes him lose control.

Whistle/ personal alarm: Even a small whistle attached to a purse handle or keychain attachment can prove to be very helpful in case of emergency or an attack. There are many handy alarm devices available in the market, which can raise loud sound to attract attention. But do not forget to keep such devices at easily accessible places such as keychains, neck chains, waist belts or wrist bands, so that you can use them as quickly as possible.

Pen and comb knife: These gadgets look like a normal pen or comb. Just pull them out and they become a knife. You can carry them without grabbing attention. But it is suggested to use them carefully in self defense.

Pencil: A simple pencil can prove to be a very effective self defense weapon in hand. A sharp pencil can injure the eyes or face of the attacker.

So ladies, be safe, secure and brave!

Though not in hibernation from writing, but just been lazy for blogging...but now to all my friends (those too within the family) who love me as i am and do not wish me to change and to those many many new friends whom i hope to make in the rest of my journey of life...this new year i have decided to be active and vibrant in blogging throughout  2014...lets see ..how it turns up!
I begin with this short story that i wrote few months back :)

Aruna, the writer!

By: Nishat Paiker

What could be more pathetic for a writer or learner than when he has nothing to write or very often no suitable words to jot down his ideas or expressions?

A learner in the field is most infected by this deficiency of either words or perfect ideas. His or her mind becomes like a tee of golf.

Well, there is no compulsion to write but thanks to the tag of writer who should write whatsoever it may be, that was what Aruna, a nascent writer believed.

During the library sessions at school she was always in the awe of books and their composers. How can a single person write such big and fat novels? Fat like an elephant and not ending easily like a princess plait in fairy tales.

One of her friend was very keen on reading, with thick glasses on his face and fattest book in hand, was always acknowledged by the teachers. Aruna was taken away by this and the next best thing she could think was, “he just reads to impress but one day I will write to make him read my work.”

The thought was literally taken as a challenge and search began on what to write. But this search continued too long or better to say till date with a dilemma around.

Even a modest subject to write would leave her in bewilderment for few hours. Nights were often spent in dreaming of Man Booker or Pulitzer awards in her hands and days in applauding Naipaul, Dickens, Chetan Bhagat, Brookner and many more!

She was impressed with their clarity in perception, endless inventiveness, word intelligence, minor complexities, emotional depths, and well-mended plots and would think how and when would she become such a strong-headed writer and gain a truest mark of distinction like them.

Somebody advised, keep a diary and it helped. Now, Aruna had a friend that became the quintessence of her writing attempts and her thought imbalances over her ever-growing dilemmas.

Horrible dreams, the first “challenge”, and helplessness felt while writing, which she compared with her bicycle learning sessions! All she confided with this new found friend.

Seeing her obsession and obscurity too, well-wishers started suggesting all sorts of subjects to write ranging from women empowerment, corruption, politics, infamous politicians to never-ageing Bachchan and some even had the uncanny ideas like ‘my neighbours pet dog’, ‘Mrs Dhingra’s secret of heavy weight loss!’, ‘a new love affair in society’ and even to personal grievances of “katiya” power supply in the neighbourhood!

Her ten year old sister was all up to support her, suggesting Arabians wrote ‘Arabian Nights’, why can’t you write on ‘Indian Nights’. On Aruna’s grin, she came up with the next one, Arundhati Roy wrote on ‘God of small things’, you write on ‘God of big things’, and we have so many Gods in India to refer to! Aruna was convinced, could be a good subject but now “which God…?” A mammoth’s task indeed!