ATTN:
FOR ALL THOSE COMING HERE AFTER THE 9TH OF FEB and interested in volunteering with Blank Noise- Please sign up here
..............................................................
WE AT BLANK NOISE THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING TO THE "VOLUNTEER WITH BLANK NOISE" PROPOSAL. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION AND ARE EXCITED ABOUT WORKING WITH YOU. IT IS IN YOUR PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT THAT BLANK NOISE IS SHAPED.THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT SINCE 2003.
IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS EACH OF YOU WILL BE CONTACTED AND MEETINGS WILL BE CALLED FOR IN EACH OF THE CITIES. WE ARE STILL ACCEPTING A CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS AND THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR THIS THREE-MONTH SEASON WILL BE THE 9TH OF FEBRUARY.
PS: ALL THOSE WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED WITH BLANK NOISE IN THE PAST ARE REQUESTED TO RENEW THEIR BLANK NOISE VOWS! PLEASE SHOOT OFF AN EMAIL SAYING "I VOLUNTEER"+ time details ofcourse
THEY SAID:
I VOLUNTEER- Shuruchi Sharma, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER-Sunitha Aravind, Bhubaneshwar, Orissa
I VOLUNTEER- Indulekha Arvind, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Payal Kamat, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Anagha Sarpotdar, Mumbai , Maharashtra
I VOLUNTEER- POOJA, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Ambika, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Amrutha Bhushan, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Vibha Ghai, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- HR BHAVANA RUDRAPPA-location unknown
I VOLUNTEER- MS Gayathri, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER –Priyanka Bhatt, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
I VOLUNTEER- Nisha Ravindranathan, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Jhuma Sen, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Neya Rangesh, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
I VOLUNTEER- Neelam Jain, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
I VOLUNTEER- Vibha Ghai, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Nasrin, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Arvind, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Mandeep Singh, Chandigarh
I VOLUNTEER- Mayank Agarwal, Pune, Maharashtra
I VOLUNTEER- Vivek Kakkar, Jaipur, Rajasthan
I VOLUNTEER-Venkataramani, Bangalore Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER-Chandrashekhar Bhattacharyya, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Javtis ,Houston, USA
I VOLUNTEER –Rhea Daniel, Mumbai, Maharastra + USA
I VOLUNTEER -Teresa Rehman, Guwahati, Assam
I VOLUNTEER- Tanya Sachdeva,Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Weiting Xu, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Priyanka Bhandari, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
I VOLUNTEER- Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Pawan Sony, Mumbai, Maharashtra
I VOLUNTEER- Ankit Chopra, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Siddharth Wadhwa, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Varsha Chandwani, Mumbai, Maharastra
I VOLUNTEER- Nisha Chandwani, Mumbai, Maharastra
I VOLUNTEER- Anupriya Verma, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Prayas Abhinav, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Padmasini Ramji, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Ankit Agur, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Kirtana Mohan, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Unmana Datta, Pune, Maharashtra
I VOLUNTEER- Dianne Sharma Winter, Dubai
I VOLUNTEER- Bhavana H R, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Roshani Subbarao, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Swatilekha Mohanty, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Vanitha P, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Sakshi Chopra, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Madhavi Sahu, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Indulekha Aravind, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Sharan Shahier, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Girijesh Kumar, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Ravneet Lail, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Veena Rao, Bangalore, Karntaka
I VOLUNTEER- Shivangini Tandon, Mumbai, Maharashtra
I VOLUNTEER- Priya Chopra, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Romal Singh, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Nidhi Gupta, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Purba Sarkar, Kolkata, West Bengal
I VOLUNTEER- Asavari Gill, Mumbai, Maharashtra
I VOLUNTEER- Vijay Subraveti, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Ahaana Banerjee, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Aanandita Bhatnagar, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Praveen Reddy, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Romal Singh, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Himadri, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Aparna Hajirnis, Mumbai, Maharashtra
I VOLUNTEER- Raga Malika, Manipal, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Payal Dhar, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Aienla Longkumer, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Pradeep Kumar, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Sharad Kapoor, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Ojasvi, New Delhi
I VOLUNTEER- Pooja Ananth, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Madhumita Kumar Rajan, Bangalore, Karnataka
I VOLUNTEER- Nitin Sarin, Chandigarh
I VOLUNTEER- Kismet Nakai, Chandigarh
I VOLUNTEER- Saurabh Goyal, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Praveen Reddy, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Nabila Zaidi, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Shinjini, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
I VOLUNTEER- Aditi K, Mumbai , Maharashtra
I VOLUNTEER- - - - WILL YOU?
PS: apologies in case you have written to us and are not on this list, please leave a comment below and we will add you right away!
8.2.08
22.1.08
VOLUNTEER WITH BLANK NOISE
Volunteers most wanted!
Anybody can apply. Blank Noise could do more with inputs from individuals who are committed, believe in Blank Noise, want to address 'eve teasing' as street sexual violence. The ideal Blank Noise volunteer has time and most importantly is enthusiastic and willing!
All we need is a bit of your time every week over a rotating three month period. Every 3 months a new team will be delegated roles, based on the volunteer's skill and area of interest. Volunteers could also be campaign specific instead of time specific.
Blank Noise behind the scenes is a resource pool of many individuals from diverse backgrounds. The team has had its share of rotating members from across age groups and backgrounds. There have been college students, home makers, architects, software programmers, journalists, consultants, professors, grandmother, flower seller, street hawkers, bus conductors, security guards, police men, child birth instructor, poets, film makers, actors,unemployed, self employed, heavily employed, bloggers, language translators,... etc .
Each participant has influenced and formed Blank Noise. There have been degrees of participation- while most have been floating members- members who make it when they have the time- there have been others who have dedicated time to the project. Some participants are here
Blank Noise in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Bangalore.
While we have no active group in Vizag, Jaipur and Pune, many individuals have written in over the years and expressed desire to form one.
24.01.08
We have Teresa writing in from Guwahati: if you would like to form a Blank Noise Guwahati- do write in right away!
24.01.08
We have Teresa writing in from Guwahati: if you would like to form a Blank Noise Guwahati- do write in right away!
Volunteering with Blank Noise involves a range of back end work- from admin and organizing, creative, production, post production, fund raising, to simply having conversations with strangers on the street. (other- you suggest, we add).
On the 5th of February, new groups will be announced in each of the cities.
To be part of this all new Blank Noise Team do email us by feb 3rd with
- a short note about yourself- skills, interests ( bio)
- the amount of time you can dedicate per month and or week
email: blurtblanknoiseATgmail.com subject titled " I VOLUNTEER- CITY NAME"
Thankyou!
18.1.08
Cars, number plates, harassers: UNWANTED
Weeks ago, I had written of a certain number plate and the man behind the wheel in that car. I posted the facts of the incident on my blog. In a few days, somebody had managed to trace the car registration number and location, and I wa given to understand that the police had paid the owner a friendly visit.
Today, I am doing so again.
Two men - probably in their twenties - in a car.
Number DL9 CP 1579.
On the night of January 9th, Wednesday, about 9.30 pm, this car slows down as these two men see a woman sitting in a blue cycle rickshaw. They follow, from Defence Colony market towards the Lajpat Nagar railway gate. They lean out of the window. The man driving asks the rickshaw-puller, 'Kyon, kya scene hai?' (So what's the scene?)
Awkward, the rickshaw-puller turns to look at his passenger. This is me, sitting stony-faced, and he guages the situation for what it is. He keeps pulling, casting sidelong, frightened glances at the car. I mull over the possibility of fighting back. There is plenty of traffic about and I am not alone. But this is a cycle-rickshaw and a car makes it vulnerable.
One man, middle-aged, in a car.
Number UP 16 Q 1298.
On the night of January 9th, Wednesday, about 9.30 pm, this car slows down a the man sees a woman sitting in a blue cycle rickhaw. He begins to follow, on the road leading to the Lajpat Nagar railway gate, and he peers out of his window, repeating 'come' and 'do you want to come?'
The rickshaw-puller kept turning to look at me. I sat, stony-faced, crossed every finger I had, and held my peace. Ordinarily, in this much traffic, when the going is slower than it would be if one walked, I would just get down and walk about hundred meters and would be home. This night, I didn't. Instead, I requested the rickshaw-puller to stay with me, stuck in this mini-jam for a good fifteen minutes. He agreed wordlessly, head bent, and dropped me to my very doorstep. Out of sheer gratitude and relief, I paid him twice the fare we'd decided on.
I had no camera or I'd have taken pictures and put them up in the 'UNWANTED' section. I did have a phone though, and eyes and a quick thumb. These are the car numbers. This is my personal FIR.
World, are you taking down my complaint?
[And since I am doing this now, here' another: Defence Colony again, near the market, another car had slowed down and followed, and despite my obvious disinterest and discomfort, had repeatedly asked me to get into his car. Number DL3C AP 4910. Date: November 15, 2007]
Blank Noise calls on all women who have been stalked in cars, harassed by drivers of cars (or bikes, or autos) to do the same. If you don't have a camera, use what you do have. Use your eyes, your memory, your phones, a pen and notebook. Put up the number plates here along with a brief description of what happened, where, what time and how you reacted. Treat this act as a personal First Information Report and share it with us so we can put it up in a new unwanted section.
13.1.08
reconfiguring the mard/ man
The all new Amul advert in response to Mumbai's 31st Dec 2007 street sexual violence incident. Mard ya na mard? : Are you a man or just not a man/ not man enough?
How are you?
A mob of 70-80 men shamed India’s safest city groped and molested two young women for some 15 minutes on a busy main street in Mumbai’s glamour district Juhu early on New Year’s Day.
An identical incident had shamed India’s safest city exactly a year ago — a girl was molested by New Year’s eve revellers at the Gateway of India. That incident was captured on film by a popular Mumbai tabloid; Tuesday morning’s horror was shot by two Hindustan Times lensmen who happened to be on the spot.
The women — one in a black dress, the other in a jeans and top — emerged from the JW Marriott with two male friends around 1.45 am, and began walking towards Juhu beach close by.
A mob of about 40 got after them and began teasing the women. One of the women swore loudly at the hooligans.
But the mob, now 70-80 strong, wouldn’t let go. They trapped the women near a vehicle and a tree, and pounced on them. A man in a white shirt tore off the black dress. Another, in a blue shirt, led the assault. As the women fell on the ground, dozens of men jumped on them.
At which point, HT’s Satish Bate spotted a police van and shouted. Senior Inspector Amarjeet Singh rushed in swinging his cane and chased away the mob. He took the victims to the Juhu police station. However, no case was registered, Juhu police station in-charge Shivaji Tadlapurkar said.
An identical incident had shamed India’s safest city exactly a year ago — a girl was molested by New Year’s eve revellers at the Gateway of India. That incident was captured on film by a popular Mumbai tabloid; Tuesday morning’s horror was shot by two Hindustan Times lensmen who happened to be on the spot.
The women — one in a black dress, the other in a jeans and top — emerged from the JW Marriott with two male friends around 1.45 am, and began walking towards Juhu beach close by.
A mob of about 40 got after them and began teasing the women. One of the women swore loudly at the hooligans.
But the mob, now 70-80 strong, wouldn’t let go. They trapped the women near a vehicle and a tree, and pounced on them. A man in a white shirt tore off the black dress. Another, in a blue shirt, led the assault. As the women fell on the ground, dozens of men jumped on them.
At which point, HT’s Satish Bate spotted a police van and shouted. Senior Inspector Amarjeet Singh rushed in swinging his cane and chased away the mob. He took the victims to the Juhu police station. However, no case was registered, Juhu police station in-charge Shivaji Tadlapurkar said.
A mob of 70-80 men groped and molested two young for some 15 minutes on a busy main street in Mumbai’s glamour district Juhu ...the mob, now 70-80 strong..trapped the near a vehicle and a tree, and pounced on them. A in a white shirt tore off the black dress. blue shirt, led the assault. As the fell on the ground, dozens of jumped on them.
A mob of 70-80 men groped and molested two young women for some 15 minutes on a busy main street in Mumbai’s glamour district Juhu ...the mob, now 70-80 strong..trapped the near a vehicle and a tree, and pounced on them. A in a white shirt tore off the black dress. blue shirt, led the assault. As the women fell on the ground, dozens of men jumped on them.
A mob of 70-80 men groped and molested two young women for some 15 minutes on a busy main street in Mumbai’s glamour district. shamed India’s safest city
A mob of 70-80 groped and molested two young women for some 15 minutes go. They trapped the women near a vehicle and a tree, and pounced on them. A man in a white shirt tore off the black dress.on a busy main street in Mumbai’s glamour district Juhu early on New Year’s Day.But the mob, now 70-80 strong, wouldn’t let Another, in a blue shirt, led the assault. As the women fell on the ground, dozens of men jumped on them.
A mob of 70-80 men groped and molested two young women for some 15 minutes on a busy main street in Mumbai’s glamour district Juhu early on New Year’s Day. 70-80 , wouldn’t let go.trapped the near a vehicle and a tree, and pounced on them. in a white shirt tore off the black dress, blue shirt, led the assault. As the fell on the ground, dozens of jumped on them.
A mob of 70-80 men groped and molested two young women for some 15 minutes on a busy main street in Mumbai’s glamour district Juhu early on New Year’s Day.
A mob of 70-80 men groped and molested two young women for some 15 minutes on a busy main street in Mumbai’s glamour district Juhu early on New Year’s Day. shamed India’s safest city
14 days later .... 'how are you?'
Are you shocked enough ? For how long? Have you already moved on? Does this mean more rules for new year's eve? What is a mob? Who is a mob? Are you stirred enough? Do you expect it? Was this 'bound to happen'? Are you angry? Are you scared? Are you more anxious? What would you like to do? What would you like all of us to do? Tell us. How are you?
Do share with us, your thoughts and reactions about the Mumbai molestation/ street sexual violation episode and we will add you in the list below.
Here's what they said:
13.12.07
Blank Noise T shirts
While at Khoj on a public art residency programme Blank Noise T shirts " Kya Dekh Rahe Ho" were designed for women who take auto rickshaw rides.
NO-Blank Noise is not anti auto rickshaw drivers. Not all auto drivers adjust their rear view mirros to women's breast level either! However this t shirt works for those 'awkward' situations, where it's a little obvious why the rear view mirror is focussing on parts of the female passenger's anatomy.
This t shirt is a Blank Noise Action Hero strategy to deal with sexual violation. Wear it. Give it to your friends. You could buy 3 for Rs 200 and gift it to your friends or 1 for Rs 125!
We are also accepting donation towards the production of these t shirts. You can also hand cut your own v neck and sleeves!
Bring a twist! Enjoy the t shirt!
To receive the t shirts email us at blurtblanknoise@gmail.com
T shirts are avaliable in Hindi too. Will be made avaliable in tamil, bengali, telegu.
3.12.07
Auto waaley Bhaisahab...
On my way home from Hazratganj, I had to as usual catch an auto rickshaw to get home quick. I always go for the sharing one, its five times cheaper. ;)
I love the evening auto rides - Immersed in my thoughts, enjoying the radio and feeling the cold wind blowing. It also helps me ignore the hustle of '1 savari 1 savari' and overloaded autos.
Lost as I always am, I realize a hand trying to feel my whatever little back is available above the back rest of the auto seat. I glare, not being too sure was it intentional or was it the driver's rash driving. I felt it again. I turn and stare at the guy sitting on the other side of the auto (only 3 fit anyway
), notice him trying to gauge my reaction for the second time by the corner of his eye. "Bhaisahab haath apney paas rakh saktey hai ya auto rukwao aapkey liye" The over stuffed auto with six passengers (all male), excluding the driver, stare too, and the hands went back, slightly uneasily placed on his lap.An Action Hero is a woman who has dealt with street sexual harassment/ violence/ 'eve teasing' by confronting and challenging it.
Send in your stories of resisting street sexual violence. Please email us at blurtblanknoise@gmail.com
28.11.07
Get involved- Blank Noise Opinion Poll in your city!
Location: Namita Sharma's Tea Stall. Gariahat. Kolkata.
Namita Sharma's tea stall is by the auto stand in Gariahat market, Kolkata. Every evening, eva long que lines up by her tea stall awaiting their auto rickshaw ride back home. During this stretch of time some people drink tea , smoke a ciggarete, snack a bit.
Namita and her colleagues welcomed Blank Noise as an idea. Her tea stall hosts the Blank Noise opinion poll which asks a simple but infinitely complex question-
WHAT IS EVE TEASING? LOOKING? STARING? STARING AT BREASTS? TALKING TO BREASTS? ADJUSTING REAR VIEW MIRROR? PASSING COMMENTS? CALLING NAMES? RATING? WHISTLING? SINGING? MAKING KISSING SOUND? UNSOLICITED CONVERSATION? WINKING? BLOWING KISSES? UNSOLICITED PHOTOGRAPHY? TICKLING? TOUCHING 'ACCIDENTALLY'? GROPING? TOUCHING/NUDGING IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT?/ RUBBING? FINGERING?SPITTING ON? STALKING? VEHICLES( CARS. BIKES. CYCLES) FOLLOWING. VEHICLES( CARS. BIKES. CYCLES) HONKING. VEHICLES( CARS. BIKES. CYCLES)PURPOSELY DASHING? GESTURES/ACTIONS/ MASTURBATION? FLASHING? OTHERS??
There have been innumerable debates on the blog in the past over what exactly constitutes 'street sexual violence'- Can it be in the verb of 'looking' or in the adverb of 'lecherously looking'. there are questions about what constitutes a lecherous look- and the ones who experience it will argue saying ' it's obvious. we just know!'
This is precisely the kind of discussion we want to further on the streets itself. More than for facts figures and statistics we attempt to use the form of an opinion poll to start discussions. The opinion poll also becomes a 'safe' way for people to testify and admit what they have seen or experienced.
The opinion poll is bilingual- for Kolkata it is in Bangla/ Bengali and English. We are getting them made in English with Urdu/ Hindi/ Kannada/ Telegu/ Tamil/ If you would like to volunteer with translations do email us asap! always at blurtblanknoise@gmail.com
By asking someone from your neighbourhood /locality to host the Blank Noise Eve Teasing Opinion Poll you are getting them involved in the process of taking agency, and also being an agent yourself. The opinion poll could also be in your college/ office/ apartment block/ market/ anywhere- email us- let's discuss your ideas
You will need to provide your local Blank Noise agent with 2 ink pads( red and blue) for people to put their thumb print.
In the next 2 weeks individuals/ Blank Noise members from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Lucknow, Kolkata will receive the opinion poll charts. If you belong to any of these cities and would like get started - email us right away!
If your city is not mentioned and you would like start this process in your city, write in and we could have an entire bunch sent in to you. You could also be the opinion poll distributor for your city or town.
You will also receive an email with detailed instructions on how to introduce Blank Noise/ the issue of 'eve teasing' and how this process can be documented.
Coming up is an interview with Namita Sharma on her experience of hosting the opinion poll. The interview will be conducted by members of the Blank Noise Kolkata team.
We look forward to your emails! blurtblanknoise@gmail.com
Blank Noise Agents : people who are participating in Opinion Poll project to further discussion about 'eve teasing'.
- Barkha Madhok- New Delhi- Will install the poster in her office.
- Ashish Asgekar- Goa-will translate the opinion poll to marathi
- Nabila Zaidi- Lucknow- will translate the opinion poll and distribute opinion poll sheets in Lucknow. She is also installing the poster at Avadh Girl's College.
- Sharath V- Bangalore- has translated the text to kannada. The text has been further edited by Blank Noise bangalore.
- Girish Pandit- edited Kannada text.
- Meghna C edited the kannada text.
- Soumya C. Shekhar edited the kannada text.
- Nisha Chandwani - Mumbai added the word ' pinching' to the opinion poll list.
- Siddarth Mukund Srivastava- New Delhi- is translating the opinion poll to Hindi.
- Poorva Dutt - New Delhi is also translating the opinion poll text to Hindi
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