Nagpur: For young women in Nagpur, a visit to a garden for some quiet time can mean first checking who else is around, whether the area is well-lit and how quickly they can leave if something goes wrong.Poorly lit pathways, groups of men occupying secluded corners, persistent staring and unwanted attention are among the concerns women say can make them uncomfortable in public gardens, particularly after sunset.Recalling an incident from her school days at Laxmi Nagar, 25-year-old entrepreneur Sai Ashtikar said three men repeatedly flashed torches at her and a friend before following them as they left. With the surrounding lanes poorly lit, the two ran for safety. “Even now, you can see people parking their vehicles and sitting there in the evenings,” she said.Ashtikar also recalled an unsettling experience at Abhyankar Nagar Garden involving an elderly man who, she alleged, used sweets to lure children and behaved inappropriately with them. She said the experience, along with poorly lit parks, eventually made her stop visiting gardens altogether.Budding psychotherapist Awani Patil said she avoids parks alone after sunset. “Some parks have groups gathering to smoke, with intoxicated behaviour sometimes making women uncomfortable. The presence of regular walkers, families and senior citizens provides reassurance, but that comfort disappears once the crowd leaves,” she said.Student Anushka said unwanted attention does not always involve direct interaction. “Groups of men or persistent staring can make her reconsider where she sits or how long she stays. Sometimes I don’t even wait for something serious to happen. I just leave,” she told TOI.The women suggested visible emergency contact numbers, CCTV cameras, adequate lighting, regular police patrolling and guards who actively monitor parks after sunset. They also stressed the importance of bystanders intervening when they witness inappropriate behaviour.However, 23-year-old Saara Khobragade said infrastructure alone cannot guarantee safety. “The mindset of the people around, as well as the willingness of others to intervene when any such act occurs, is more important,” she said.
