Jaya Sharan DRESS CODE   TRAVELLING   SAFETY   SHOPPING Women travelers visiting India for the first time seem quite apprehensive about visiting Delhi regarding their personal safety. These apprehensions have their genesis in the misconception that India is a conservative nation wherein women are restricted to living within the four walls of the house. This thinking as it rests with foreign travelers today, is only a myth now. It might have been true to India of yesteryears, but the country today is very different. Women are as liberated as men and are competing with them in all walks of life, so the question of females feeling insecure does not arise anymore. Female travelers are as safe in this country as they would be anywhere else. Of course the hazards of being a woman alone or in a group definitely exists but only to an extent, as it would be in any other country. Any illusions about the dress code that the female foreign traveler may nurture may well be discarded to suit whatever seems comfortable to wear at a given point in time. But, perhaps with a little precaution. One might feel comfortable in a mini skirt, a pair of shorts, a low cut sleeveless blouse or perhaps a sports bra. Our advice - avoid revealing clothes. Try and wear something loose and comfortable. Something that really works is a set of salwar kameez. This is a two piece garment with a loose long top and baggy trousers. They are known to be quite comfortable in India's kind of weather. A foreign lady tourist will immediately find acceptance in the society and people will also appreciate your wearing Indian clothes. This will also make you a little less conspicuous. For a female traveler, the safest and most comfortable mode of transport is definitely a taxi unless she has a car at her disposal. Taxis are available under two categories. We have the tourist taxis that ply interstate and need to be hired. The meter taxis or the yellow and black taxis can be used to commute anywhere within the city and are quite safe. Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has buses in plenty plying everywhere within the city but it is advisable for a woman traveler not to travel in those buses as they are generally very crowded. Auto rickshaws are available too but they don't make a too comfortable a mode of transport. They are economical and you must insist on paying as per the readings by the meter. If you do get accosted by eve teasers or molesters, do not cower down. Strike back! There have been cases where women have felt groping hands or hands feeling them on their posterior. Our advice, do not get scared and do not run away. Turn around, hit them, you know where. It works! Try and create a ruckus. This will gather a helping crowd fast. This is one good thing about India, help from the common public is never a problem to get, quite unlike many other countries. If you see cops anywhere nearby, go tell them. The wrongdoers will not go unpunished and you would have set an example too. It works and will work for you too. But, as a precaution what you might want to avoid (as perhaps in your country too), do not go into not so safe looking areas after dark. Try and be in areas which have enough people around. The ideal shopping plazas for a woman traveler to visit are to be found in plenty in this city of ours. Delhi has almost everything available in the market that could be considered very typical to India. From the casual to the typically Indian stuff are available in the markets today. Janpath in Connaught Place and Sarojini Nagar Market in South Delhi is ideal for casuals, shoes and junk jewelry. You have a variety of goods available in these markets to make a choice from. Of course, the prices quoted by salesperson at times are unrealistic and you need to be smart at bargaining, but the stuff is good for the price you pay for it. For very authentic Indian stuff, the ideal places to visit are the emporia on Baba Kharak Singh Marg and the Cottage Emporium, located at the Jawahar Bhawan in Connaught Place. We have other markets at South Extension, famous for its departmental stores, Khan Market for music and books, Greater Kailash and Hauz Khas Markets for ethnic clothes and precious jewelry. These markets are very reliable and the goods available here are quality products and it's always money well spent. Come festivals and Delhi has sales and exhibitions on in almost all the shops. Markets are crowded with people, buying stuff in dozens. If you wish to buy authentic goods at a reasonable price then its ideal time to shop around in the months of October and November as it's festival season this time of the year. Delhi being the capital of the country definitely has a charm attached to it and that makes it the ideal place to be in, if you wish to get a taste of the Indian culture within the purview of the city.

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