What it takes to be a Telugu girl in Chennai?

I come from a Telugu speaking background with ancestors who settled in the Tamil Nadu more than two generations ago. I could speak both the languages - Telugu* and Tamil* fluently any day. 

*Tamil - Native Language of the South Indian State Tamil Nadu

*Telugu - Native Language of the South Indian States - Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

During my school days I was only proud to have known an additional language [Telugu] and was surprised that a couple of my friends knew the language too ! I wasn’t sure why the rest didn’t know the language and was curious to know. When I enquired mom she explained that the two states [now three] were once together and during the separation we were the ones who chose to settle down here for various reasons like occupation and convenience. 

One random day at school, I was ‘bullied’ with a new word ‘Golti’ and I was clueless about what they even meant by that. A friend came to my rescue and handled the guys who bullied me ! I asked her what did ‘Golti’ mean and why do they call me that? She explained that that was the term they used to address Telugu speaking people here in Chennai. Initially as a young school going girl, I couldn't take it when my class mates differentiated me because of my mother tongue. They weren't very serious and most of us were innocent then. I had to understand that the word only sounded funny to them and made them laugh. I heard it so often that I got used it and learned to ignore it. This didn't stop me from revealing my mother tongue. For I was still proud, only to have known an additional language. 

It was only during my college days I saw the actual rivals. It was a Telugu Minority College with 50% Tamils and 50% Telugus (if I can call it that way) roughly and I was stuck in-between. The two groups stayed separate mostly and even in the way they were seated ! The ‘in-between’ candidates like me were the minority, just one or two in a class room and we had to choose between one of these groups !! Trying to balance both was my biggest challenge. I think I did it fairly well. 

When my bus mates were Tamils, they though how high-headed and dumb were these Telugus and my bench mates enquired why these Tamil’s dressing sense was so pathetic and why they hardly took money out of their pockets ! It was annoying answering such stereotypical questions from both the sides. I only saw them being self-forcefully blind !! 

The stereotypes were only growing and my explanations only convinced myself ! These two groups were nothing but ‘like’ poles of a magnet. They looked like they would fit in but beyond a point they repelled. The differentiation continued even at work but by then I got used to it and knew how to deal with it. I just laugh away.

I have to mention that I had a good amount of open minded friends too. The friendship was more selflessly social than linguistic - how it is supposed to be. I am always fortunate and glad to have earned them. 

As much as I am a proud Telugu girl, I am a proud Chennaite too ! We celebrate both Ugadi and Tamil New Year with the same amount of enthusiasm. [Jan 1 isn’t an exception too ;) ] Pongal and Sankranthi mean the same to us. Our weddings are a mix of customs, from both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh ! We have evolved this way and we are happy living it this way. 

You call me a ‘Golti’ .. You call me a ‘Madarasi’ .. You will only see me smiling. Yes, I am a proud blend of both. 

Happy Ugadi & Happy Tamil New Year 

Bengaluru Molestation - Blame the girls for we are so used to it !

Sexual abuse and being molested isn't new to any woman ! Every women I know have stories of being molested by a stranger, uncle, teacher, security guards and drivers. The only qualification you need to do so is to be a man craving to feel a woman !! Shameful !! 

Not that we got used to it over time but we learnt how to deal with it. A few of us got only brave enough to fight back, a few still shying away to even discuss about it and a few just got locked up inside the house in the name of safety !!

It is shocking how a brainless bunch could try to blame the girl who was molested. 

What was the girl doing on the roads at 2.40 AM? 

What was she wearing then? 

To all those self-protective perverts how many more real-life examples should we quote you?

When a 65 year old lady was raped, what was she wearing?

When a 3 year old kid was raped, how provoking were her clothes?

The first time I was molested I would have been just 5-6 yrs old and the "pallu pona watchman kelavan" [toothless old man] would have been in his mid 60s !!

Still you want to blame us?

It is easy to pass the blame on a woman as you have been doing it all this while and you weren't questioned at all. Now, it has become an easy practise. 

Being a mother of a 6 year old girl child such incidents doesn't fear me a bit. Having been a victim myself, not just once but many a times, I have only evolved stronger.

The first time I was too young to even understand what was happening.

The second time I complained to my mom.

The third time I decided to face it myself.

The last time I made the guy run for his life !!

Through all such incidents I only see a future where girls are much stronger both mentally and physically, that there will be a time where such mindless perverts would never dare to molest any girl even at odd lonely hours !

I have always felt and still feel that self-defence is as important as education to any girl and such incidents only re-emphasize the need for it.

A note to all such secretive morons who are hiding among the everyday crowd - I warn you !! Pepper sprays will soon be replaced by hard powerful kicks - you know where. You better keep your pants zipped up or your parts might get misplaced.

Hello society, you can still blame us and we are all used to it now :)