Blank Noise

July 24, 2017

Meet To Sleep / Next On September 23rd, Saturday 2017

Blank Noise

July 24, 2017

> > > Register for the next Meet To Sleep
> > > https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1eW0tqURj9ZbSIJqd5fpzklADfDVDfE56zgAY6st0w7HIQw/viewform

Meet To Sleep

Towards Freedom From Fear

16th January 2016

Meet To Sleep , Bangalore

Location: Cubbon Park

Action Heroes: Joshua C.D, Susan Jose, Vikash Lohia, Arvind Thyagarajan, Anubandh, Rutuja Chitra, Pranita, Sandhya.S, Madhu Shukla, Vijji Chari, Yogesh Dilhor, Harini Vasudevan, Vijaya Savithri, Priyanka Pai, Tom Krippner, Chitra. B, Sachi Raval, Manasvini Shankar, Tansushree Borundia, Kiri Meili, Megha R. Mehta, Vira Mistry, Jasmeen Patheja.

Lying down with my back sinking into the earth below while my eyes found a beautiful view above, filled with so many shades of green , intertwined branches and the sky that faded into infinity. I felt safe, to doze off, to dream , to dance in the warmth of the sunlight. Each leaf on the branches above me was there because it received the warmth and the light of the sun, me lying down under this beautiful foliage was possible because I felt the warmth of safety. - Action Hero Tansushree Borundia

I found it pretty easy to sleep knowing that there were people around whom i "knew", even if very briefly. I think it would be a much bigger challenge to try the experiment alone, or in the evening, or in a place more sparsely populated than Cubbon Park is on the weekend. - Action Hero Manasvini Shankar

This was the second Meet To Sleep event I attended. Both times with my little daughter. And this time was really different from the first - here's how. The first time I did it for myself and for my child. I couldn't sleep, I had a book and a sheet to feel safe. And I was very self conscious. The space was beautiful and I did end up dozing off in the winter sun but woke up to every sound. The second time I did it for a larger cause. And my way of participating was to challenge myself. So no book, no sheet. I stared at the longest time at the lovely canopy and then fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.

What really helped was Jasmeen's briefing at the start, where the intent was communicated so well. And at the end, the sharing was longer and helped connect to the movement most deeply. It was weird and yet so natural that a group of strangers felt a sense of safety in each others' presence.

When my 11-year old daughter was hearing the adults share, she kept whispering back to me, "what is the big deal about sleeping in a park". While she may be too young to understand this, my hope is that with movements such as these, she would continue to ask this question even as an adult woman living in India.

Thank you Blank Noise for holding this space for us. - Action Hero Vijji Chari

I had a very beautiful serene experience at the event. I was inspired by my friend Vijji to make it for this. I value freedom of expression and being, for each person- and the cause of women claiming public spaces is very important and relevant in today's otherwise constricting to death and hostile atmosphere in public spaces.

I have spent time occasionally in Cubbon park in the recent years.. and all through my time trying to nap a part of me kept asking me why i didn’t do this more often. I have like minded company to do it, I enjoyed the park, I love Bangalore, I love nature and contemplation - but what holds me back?

So in all these thoughts I didn’t completely fall asleep. I wanted to real bad.. but my mind did not fully let go. Maybe it was all too exciting or that the other people in the vicinity (not from our group) did play on my mind.

So I was able to relax my body in spite of my alert buzzing mind- I was aware of random men walking and sitting real close to where I was lying down and I did check on them occasionally. I realised they were simply curious but their cameras made me very uncomfortable (in hindsight). I was also aware of a few men in the distance.. just standing in the thickets.. staring ahead.. maybe not even looking at us ( but my mind would take off like an alarm - psycho masturbator.. flasher.. gross... ) . When stranger women, couples or families crossed I felt absolutely at ease , even if the family maybe disapproving.

At the end of it I just lay watching my breath, the leaves and birds and was able to get my mind off the transitioning crowds around me. I could enter solitude and did not force myself to fall asleep. As I think of this experience now, I realise that my years of conditioning and experience probably did not allow me to relax. And to truly occupy the space fully.. is not just to be able to do it physically ( which is a great step forward) but also to do it mentally and emotionally. Which I wasn’t able to do completely . And that is an important insight for me.

And that inspires me to be a part of the next event, or take some naps by myself.. as a process to allow myself to occupy and inhabit a space fully.

Thank you for creating this beautiful space.. I was very moved by the idea as well as the way you held the space with a cool groundedness. I am so glad to be a part of this. Action Hero Madhu Shukla

Meet To Sleep Hyderabad

Action Hero Ally : CLAAP

Location: Sanjeevaiah Park, Hyderabad

Action Heroes: Swetha Dandapani, Suma, Payal, Sana, Rukmini

Meet To Sleep Pune

Chittaranjan Vatika Park

Action Heroes: Kaustubh Joshi, Saachi Dayal, Naksha Erappa, Ameya Gutta, Sayali Patwardhan

Meet To Sleep , Mumbai

Action Hero Ally: Why Loiter

Location: Hiranandani Gardens

Action Heroes: Chaitra Yadavar, Neha Singh, ( Why Loiter) , Aditi Pinto, Avinay Yadav, Anamika Deb

Time: 4.40 pm- 4.50 pm, 5.15 pm-5.40 pm

We chose Hiranandani park as it was decided by the Mumbai participants. This is a pay and enter park and mostly couples come here. Very few families were present. There was noone to take permission from the Municipal authorities and we just went ahead. Maybe for the next event of Meet to sleep, we will try to take permission for it.

There are a couple of parks in Mumbai where sleeping in them and eating is not allowed and this was one of them, but we missed reading this board outside. The entire experience of what both Anamika and I had never done before was interesting and overall it was fun as we were trying to convince the guards and giving them logic. :)

Anamika: I had never slept in a park before and this was the first time so it was interesting. I got to argue with the guards and fight a bit with them to let us sleep in the park, which we couldn't do for much time. But we managed for sometime at least like 20 mins. It was an interesting and fun experience overall.

Chaitra: The fact that we tried to get over our fear and we did sleep even though it was only for 30-40 mins instead of 1.5 hour was great. After a while the security guards came and told us to get up..we didn't listen, but continued after he went back. Next time he got 4 of them and again asked us to sit and not sleep. We were giving him various reasons and logic. Anamika even said 'Ghar mein tala hai, hum ghar jaake nahi so sakte', to which he said, 'Toh fir taala todo.' All these dialogues were very interesting. My friends joined for about 20 mins so later it was 4 of us and then all of us were arguing with the guards. We saw them telling other people who were half-lying down to sit straight.

It would have definitely felt better to be part of a bigger group and do this together. At a point we knew we had to stop and get up as they were requesting us and they were only doing their jobs, the authority to give us permission was with the Municipal office. I would have liked if people who had come into the garden had asked us why we were sleeping, which didn't happen. Getting over the fear of sleeping in the park, doing something I hadn't done before and being vulnerable in such a public space was interesting. The experience was worthwhile.

Meet To Sleep Delhi, Dilli!

Location: Deer Park

Action Heroes: Katherine Leider, Avani Tandon, Mahima Taneja, Shruti Patil, Sanjay Nagraj Deshpande, Paromita, Swarnima, Shruthi, Shraddha, Somesh, Amrutha, Nyam Koi, Gathesa, Lisa

Action Heroes Delhi, report:

A transcript:

“ So we’re recording, if you are on the far side of the circle, please speak up. So I want to start by just going around, and can everybody say their name and why they’re here today.

Hi my name is Avani, I’ve been associated with Blank Noise for a while now, so when Jasmeen told me that they were planning to organize this I was fairly excited about this because I study in Delhi University and I wasn’t from Delhi earlier so I know all of the anxieties of being a new person in the city and being a woman in the city. I was excited about maybe tackling some of those fears.

I joined the Meet To Sleep today because for the love of sleeping in the sun in winters without feeling scared, in company and maybe we all will individually reach a point where we can do that alone as well.

My name is Shruthi, I think over the period of one year I have personally tried to go out by myself or try to come back home by myself take a cab by myself and you know all of it is so problematic. I think this is one of the ways of furthering a personal goal of you know just going out by myself. I think.

Hi my name is Sanjay I heard about the event three days ago from a friend who she thought I would be interested in participating in. I thought it was interesting. Reclaiming public spaces has been an academic discourse for a really long time. However we hardly see it translating into any, say, physical action. Today again I was hanging out with friends and I asked my friends what they were up to and they told me that they are here, and I said that’s interesting lets try it out purely out of chance, nothing else.

Hi I’m Paromita, I only came here to sleep, read in the open, which I’ve never done and It was an amazing experience. (And also we chattered too much ?)

My name is Swarnima and I came here especially to take a break from work because this is something so rare women just lounging around in a park and just chatting or even sleeping , some people were actually sleeping. So, it’s just something really rare something we hardly get to do and something I’ve obviously wanted to do a lot. So it was great.

Hi I’m Shruthi, I’m not from Delhi, I came here from work. I thought I’m getting an opportunity to sleep in an open space with people with the same kind of outlook.

Hi I’m Shraddha, I’ve been in Delhi for a while now but I came here just to sleep and it was really nice. I did manage to, you know, catch some sleep and it was wonderful and I love to sleep so, you do it in your bed and you do it in the office and you do it in cars and buses. I don’t know why I haven’t tried doing it in a park yet. I mean at least in delhi I haven’t. so yeah, the was great.

Hi I’ve been in Delhi for quite a while now, 8 years or something but every now and then I look at the park below my house and I keep wondering why can’t I sleep on this bench because I really really love nature and I love open spaces. So when I got to know about this opportunity I thought that it was really good. And I already feel quite rejuvenated so thank you.

Hi I’m Somesh, and I just came to know about this event a couple of hours ago and the first thing that crossed my mind was will I even be allowed here because as a male am I supposed to feel unsafe in a public space and then I thought about all the times that I actually felt unsafe in a public space which was actually quite a lot so I thought why not give this a shot. Just last night I was at a railway station in Jaipur and even there I had to think twice before falling sleep. And then the next day I come here and I get to know that something like this is happening I thought okay lets…. At least one time I should do this. I might be able to do this again and again given that I saw quite a few men sleeping randomly while coming here. But to do this in such an organized manner… and maybe to learn about what your experiences. I think that adds to its value. And it feels good coming here.

Hi my name is Amrutha and I’m originally from Pune but I’ve been in delhi for over 5 years now. And I understand the importance of this event in terms of reclaiming your public spaces but I also feel is that fear is something what you have in your head. A lot of times when I have been absolutely pissed drunk and I have taken auto at midnight by myself and I was like let me see what happens and nothing happens. Everyone tells me you’re in Delhi you should carry a pepper spray with you, I refuse to do that. Because I don’t want to live in that constant fear that because I’m a woman and something will happen to me. So I wear whatever I want , I walk out at any time I want, I’ve taken cabs all over at one thirty- two o clock in the night. So… and as we’ve seen today it’s a good thing we were in a group but tomorrow if we come alone and if you are sleeping with confidence or whatever you are with confidence people may not really bother you.

Hello I’m Nyam Koi and I was thinking what should I be saying on this and it just struck me that I always actually after lunch if I get time in the university law I just go out and sit there. and umm it’s slightly different outside than this area because definitely we feel different, we feel much more safer in the campus but this is a good initiative and reclaiming the public space is really important for I think the movement and yeah, thanks for the initiative.

Hi I’m Gathesa, and I just got an invitation from facebook and I came, I have never been part of any event like this and I came here purely out of curiosity

Hello I am Lisa, thank you for this event whoever is organizing this and I just came out to hang out with my friends and at the same time apart from having fun with my friends I kind of like felt the purpose of reclaiming the public space. And thank you for that.

So hey I’m Kat, I’m writing my PhD on performative responses to the delhi bus gang rape of 2012 and I went out into Bangalore last week and met Jasmeen Patheja who started Blank Noise. Had a really long conversation with her about how she thinks we live in a world in which we are governed by the politics of fear. And in which where fear is used as a way of controlling us and telling us what’s appropriate or inappropriate for us to be doing and she said I want to live in a world that is based on the politics of trust. And I’d never heard someone put it that way before, like I had never someone say what happens if we just like, decide the world is based in a politics of trust and live that way. So I was very curious to see what would happen today. I think it was hard for me because it was cold. But yeah.. I don’t know can we just decide to trust and like live our lives that way and what happens if we do. and the last thing I’ll say is I’d like to pull out this statistic , “ men are far more likely to be attacked in public spaces than women. The reason that women are told to fear is because the way in which they might be attacked can be sexual but like if you’re walking around alone and you’re a dude then you are much more likely to have something physically happen to you and no one talks about that ever. I mean I think this statistic is something like you’re five times as likely as a man to be attacked as if you were a woman walking alone in public space so it’s something worth thinking about, yeah? We’re taught that sexual violence is the most horrifying thing that can ever happen but violence in general is scary and can happen to anyone. So yeah.. I don’t know. What else do you want to talk about.

Meet To Sleep, Goa

Location: Campal Children’s Park

Action Heroes: Chryselle D’Silva

Action Hero Chryselle : " I must admit the thought of not being in control in a public park petrifies me and it is precisely because of that that I'd like to do this." -

Meet To Sleep Jaipur

Location: Central Park

Action Heroes: Sukriti Suryavanshi, Meenal Jain, Supriya, Aarushi Kilawat, Parul Khanna, Satyashree Sethia, Palak Khandelwal

Meet To Sleep Pakistan - Islamabad

Location: F9 Park

Led by Action Hero Ally : Girls at Dhabas!

Action Heroes: Zoya Rehman, Komal, Steph, Osmaan, Abdullah

Meet To Sleep Pakistan- Karachi

Led by Action Hero Ally : Girls at Dhabas!

Action Heroes: Natasha Ansari, Sadia Khatri, Hadi Khatri, Basil Andrews, Amna Chaudhry, Habiba, Mahnoor

Action Heroes Karachi / Girls At Dhaba Report

Action Hero Amna: I paid ten rupees to step into the park and squinted around looking for the rest. The man at the gate pointed towards the left 'aapki dostain udhar baithi hain' (your friends are sat there) . We have already been identified as a group, an anomaly. But I nod and join the rest. We are four girls. Two of us are well prepared to 'sleep' and have brought sheets, neck pillows and things to read and munch on. We walk around looking for shade. The park is pretty enough but not very clean. Couples have occupied most of the more comfortable spots. They look at us while we walk around. The women are in abaayas but many have taken their shoes off and sit close to the men they're with. There are groups of men too; loitering about, on the phone or smoking. Nobody says anything as we settle down and get comfortable. It is too early for me to sleep and I'm too distracted to read either so I flip through a magazine and look around. A couple nearby has moved away. A man walks by and glances at the cigarette in my hand. Beyond that, it is almost serene. We munch on biscuits and talk a little but mostly we just lapse into our own thoughts. One of us even manages a short nap!

Meet To Sleep Pakistan- Lahore

Led by Action Hero Ally : Girls at Dhabas!

Location: Bagh-E-Jinnah, Lawrence Garden

Action Heroes: Tahira Babar, Saadia Abbasi, Sanayah Malik, Mehbrano Raja, Abdul Mueed, Qanitah, Sumaira Inayat

Meet To Sleep , Jodhpur

Location: Umaid Udyan

Action Heroes: Barathi Nakkeeran, Sanjana Srikumar, Meghna Sengupta, Aditi Ameria, Divya Gupta, Pragati K.B.

Action Heroes Jodhpur Report :
Action Hero, Barathi Nakkeeran : Unfortunately I did not sleep too much on the meet, mostly because I had to keep guard (of?) my belongings. But for the brief time that I did nod off, it was quite empowering for lack of a milder word. I think it is important that we distinguish spaces on the basis of private and public instead of subjecting it to gender disparity. #SpaceHasNoGender

Action Hero Meghna Sengupta: I honestly thought I would be far more uncomfortable with the idea of getting comfortable in a public park. But when it came don to it, it was surprisingly easy. Lying down to sleep or curling up with a book in a park seemed natural, once I got down to actually doing it. I did notice some glances but eventually I was lost in my own world. And I would definitely do it again, though probably not alone.

Action Hero Aditi Ameria : I immediately liked the concept of meet to sleep, there's something very charming about napping under the sun, surrounded by nature. We spread across the park to better take in the nature and doze off in peace. I am still unsure of whether this is something that I would do alone, when I know that my peers are not in the vicinity. Also, I was a little apprehensive about my wallet getting stolen but after I put it under my head, my worries dissipated, and I had the most relaxing afternoon nap! A Very A- One experience I would say!

Action Hero Pragati K. B.: This was my second Meet to Sleep, the first one was in Bangalore. Unlike the previous time, I could actually go to sleep this time, albeit for 20 minutes. While I was lying down, I was oblivious to the curious stares I might be getting and was lost in trying to sleep and have a good experience. I'm certain, that a few more of these and I will be able to sleep for a couple of hours, because I see my fear dissipating already.

Meet To Sleep Vadodara

Location: Kamatibaug

Date: 20th February 2016

Action Heroes: Vaidehi Shah, Priyal Shah, Mahima Mehta, Vinitaa Bokadia, Cheshta Chavla, Bhusha Trivedi, Dr. Kanishka Aggarwal, Mallika Pathak, Ashini Katwala, Khushi Pandya

Action Heroes Vadodra report

1. This was my first time, sleeping in a park. Initially, it was awkward but later on I got comfortable. Overall it was good and a different experience.
2. When we were sleeping, another female slept next to us. It's probably because we tend to look for company or some similarity between us and others.

3. Since it was our first time, the fear hasn't gone completely. Maybe after one or two Meet To Sleep events, the fear of sleeping alone will be gone.

4. This was a very different experience. It was like there were stages of the experience. First there was over enthusiasm, when we heard of the project. Right before we started, there was nervousness. After we spread our bedsheets, there was a strange feeling of awkwardness slowly, comfort took over. Then came relaxation. Finally, when we got up, there was rejuvenation. Definitely something I'll continue for the rest of my life.

Blank Noise

December 28, 2016

Action Heroes Walk Alone December 2nd : Akeli Awaara Azaad

Blank Noise

December 28, 2016

Blank Noise initiated Walk Alone invited individuals from across the globe to be Action Heroes by walking where they feel fear, or is unknown to them anytime between 9 pm and midnight. Each participating Action Hero came face to face with her story of fear in this process, each step , path, place a negotiation from fear to freedom. Action Heroes walked their streets from Chattisgarh, Medellin, Mumbai, Bangalore, Allahabad, Goa and more. This was the third Walk Alone, also in joint association with Why Loiter and Amnesty International India.

Just because India got freedom at midnight does not mean woman should venture out at midnight?#ReportingToRemember #BotsaSatyanarayana

Had the girl simply surrendered (and not resisted) when surrounded by six men, she would not have lost her intestine. Why was she out with her boyfriend at 10 pm?

#ReportingToRemember #Dr.AnitaShukla

Action Heroes Pledge To #WalkAlone

Freedom From Fear. Freedom From Warnings

There is no excuse for any sexual violence.

No justification. We are done being questioned. controlled. told.

I Never Ask For It

Walk Alone was initiated by Blank Noise in 2016. The third Walk Alone event, held on December 2nd, 2016 in association with Why Loiter and Amnesty International India.

Featuring 26 Action Heroes in their words and photographs.
Akeli Awaara Azaad / Alone Unattached and Free

Walk Alone Action Hero Becca Savory

Location: Dawlish , Devon, UK.

I chose to walk alone there only because it's where I live and I could walk straight out the door. It didn't feel challenging in the sense that it's not somewhere I feel at risk. It's not somewhere I'd ever be warned not to go (although people might think I'm the suspicious one, being out walking alone..!) But it was joyful and sensuous to walk in the dark through streets I know by daylight. And I took the track down to the sea wall, where it was dark except for distant lights. I walked along the sea wall with waves surging below and felt alive.

My feelings changed over the length of the walk. At the start I felt quite self-aware of the action and the ideas behind WalkAlone - the walk felt something like a performance. As it went on, I was jumpy and alert; pensive and overwhelmed; excited and eager to walk all night; and finally I felt relaxed - less like I was 'performing' the walk, and more like I was just doing it. And enjoying it. I felt I'd like to walk at that time more often - the town felt different, and the experience was refreshing.

I walked through streets I know well from daily life, but I'd never spent so long wandering them at that time of night. I felt curious, skittish, self-conscious. On the first part of my walk the area felt very lonely - I hardly saw anyone, and was startled when a man on a bicycle appeared suddenly behind me. It was familiar but changed, and my senses were on high alert. But on later parts of my walk, the town felt more comfortable and homely than I'd expected. It was comforting to see people out and about - even another woman walking alone with a pair of dogs. I had a conversation with two women waiting outside a night shelter to welcome anyone in who needed some support or respite. I hadn't really expected to meet anyone, so it felt more friendly and welcoming than I'd imagined. (Maybe it was also that I was more friendly and welcoming through being out on a meandering walk, and not *trying to get from A to B as usual). At the end of the walk I felt relaxed, refreshed, contented.

I got home feeling a bit reflective, but also happy that for me the journey had transitioned from something that felt 'serious' and self aware, into something that was a simpler kind of pleasure - less about the politics & significance. More about the physical experience. It left me feeling that I would enjoy walking at that time again - so often I get to the end of the day and just collapse, but this was a really energising, refreshing experience.

* Action Hero Becca walked alone for an hour.

Action Hero Vrushali Somavanshi

Location: Yelahanka New Town main road, Bangalore

I walked here because I had been harassed here before, and wanted to reclaim my space.

Initially I was not comfortable walking around an area so close to my house. I felt sceptical and alert. My phone battery had died and that made me quite nervous, I clutched on to the only pseudo weapon that I had which were a pair of keys. As I kept walking I did start feeling a bit okay, but that feeling quickly washed away due to several bad experiences of catcalling on that particular road. But as I moved forward I saw a few women nearby which made me feel safe. At the end of my Walk Alone I felt relieved proud independent.

I feel the need to rethink about how safe the place was and not just assume something bad was always going to happen. I felt better in a way and felt more free to get out at night.

* Action Hero Vrushali walked alone for 10 minutes

Walk Alone Action Hero Sukriti Suryavanshi

Location: Bandra, Mumbai, India

I live and work around Bandra . I walked there because these are spaces that I have been asked to not go alone, especially at night. I was excited, nervous and feeling adventurous as I began to walk alone.I noticed that I think a lot when I walk, that I enjoy my company. I held a hot beverage while I walked alone. I did not feel threatened . Maybe because the roads I walked on would fluctuate between silence and noise every 400 to 500 meters. There was one stretch over half a kilometer which was extremely desolate. I felt meek half way through it and really strong when I was done walking that stretch. After walking, I felt calm, happy and a part of something big. Is there a word for that?

* Action Hero Sukriti walked alone for 45 minutes

Walk Alone Action Hero Neha Singh

Location: Andheri West, Mumbai

I walked alone here because it is close to home, but quite deserted post midnight.

I was feeling apprehensive, lonely, adventurous before my Walk Alone. As I walked, I began to feel confident, happy and at peace. I noticed there were many streetlights, no clean public toilets. I was exhausted, peaceful, happy at the end of my walk.

* Action Hero Neha is a member of the Why Loiter movement. Neha walked alone for 2 hours

Walk Alone Action Hero Sameera Khan

Location: In central Mumbai (India) – Wadala East, Wadala West and Five Gardens, Matunga

I was curious to explore this area as I have often felt anxious here at night. I wanted to conquer my fears. As the time to walk neared, my anxiety rose. I had chosen an area that wasn’t entirely unfamiliar to me in the day. But at night, I had usually accessed it with someone else. It seemed to have a lot of dark spots, isn’t lit up particularly well at night, and it was an area crowded with tempo-truck traffic. It’s mainly a residential area - with several pockets of government/port trust employee housing, fairly vast slums, and new apartment blocks for middle class residents. Initially I walked at a faster speed especially when I noticed that predominantly the visible people on the street were men. I seemed to always slow down when I spotted a woman/women – always seen with male companion/s. Eventually I walked more at ease, ambling at points. This was particularly so when the places I passed were well-lit and had a mixed crowd of men and women. When I was the lone woman on the street and there were a fair amount of men around, I was watchful but calm. But when I was the lone woman and there were just one or two/three other men, I was quite anxious. At those times, every step behind me seemed ominous.

There was two positive experiences: 1. I was crossing a busy broad four lane road in Wadala. Halfway across, an older man next to me quietly held up his hand and said, “ Not know, don’t cross now, Traffic is fast here.” And then as traffic eased , he quietly said “ Now we cross” . He did this as we crossed two lanes of that busy arterial road and then quietly disappeared. He seemed to look out for me in a gentle manner and I appreciated it. 2. The open maidan at Five Gardens, Matunga was all lit up and several people were walking around there. Lounging, eating at the corner where street food (egg-pao) was available, chatting. But the centre of the maidan usually filled with men’s teams playing football or cricket had a large family of men, women, children playing several rounds of badminton. This sight so lifted my spirits that I spent several minutes watching them feeling quite elated at how city open space was being used for sport and recreation late at night.

The city seemed more deserted than I thought it would be at this hour. This was Central Mumbai close to midnight at the start of a weekend, yet was fairly empty. And where there were people they were only men, men and more men. Saw two women in a queue outside an ATM at 11 pm. Then three laughing women on the pillion seat of three motorbikes (they seemed to be a group). Then some women as part of a family playing badminton in Five gardens maidan. One other woman walking with a man. And, of course, women sleeping in some roadside shanties. That was it. Otherwise the places were so dominated by the presence of men that the absence of women was perceptibly felt. At Five gardens, there was an open air gymnasium in one corner of a large maidan and it was packed with men working out at close to midnight. No women here.

Largely, the places were not well-lit except in parts. Lots of cars/buses/trucks/tempos parked blocking access to pavements. Or in some places, the pavements were so blocked by pretty plants/trees, they cut street visibility. Or there were people sleeping on the pavements. So you felt more comfortable walking on the roads. Spotted one toilet block. Noticed that fast motorbikes took over the streets at night, roaring away with only male drivers. I didn't feel threatened by anyone on my walk but I wasn't entirely comfortable either. I think I need to do this more often in order to start feeling more at ease.

I got back feeling triumphant, contented, and happy. I was more than glad I had participated in this venture. I have walked/loitered in the city very often – but usually alone only in the day. At night when I have loitered, it’s usually been with male- female friends or women participants of the Why Loiter movement. Being in a group – even an all-female group – gives you more courage to access the streets fully. To stop for chai. Laugh more loudly. Feel a bit bolder. So this experiment to access the night in my city alone was challenging but also quite a learning experience. Afterwards, I felt slightly elated , my mind full of the possibilities of what a new city of the future could look like if more women accessed public space in the city and accessed the night in particular. How different my walk could have been if instead of just men, I had also met many other women loitering/walking alone. It would have made it a more inclusive city!

My final thought is this : more than the actual walking alone what really made me anxious was what you had asked us to do : document the walk using your cell phone. Taking out the cell phone and shooting pictures meant receiving extra attention from the men you met on the streets. But as I walked that fear sort of dissipated. I thought it would be virtually impossible to shoot a selfie on the dark streets but actually at one spot I did manage it (though I am not sharing that).

* Action Hero Sameera is also a member of the Why Loiter movement. Sameera Khan co authored the book, Why Loiter. Sameera walked alone for 80 minutes.

Walk Alone Action Hero Maria Del Rio

* The Action Hero Who Ran Alone

Location: El Tesoro neighborhood, Medellin, Colombia

I chose a place close to home . It is my usual running circuit.

I was scared at first. I was anxious. It was dark. I had many questions.

Usually at 9pm I'm home or out with people, but never alone running the streets.

I chose my usual running circuit, so I was familiar with the place. It's dark sidewalks are broken, so after the first 10 seconds, my biggest fear was falling and injuring my ankle. I crossed paths with 5 guys that were also running and a guy that was walking a dog. I also saw two couples (man and woman) walking. At the end of my Walk Alone , I felt empowered, happy, tired-energetic. Running activates me, so it took me a while to be able to sleep. I got home, lay in bed, thinking of 2016's accomplishments

* Action Hero Maria walked / ran alone for 34 min, 51 sec - 5.46km

Walk Alone Action Hero Eeshita Kapadiya

Location: Nagenhalli, Yelahanka

I walked through a road behind my apartment . I had never explored.

I was curious to know where the road led.I did have an ingrained sense of fear to my surroundings, and was suspicious of cars and figures even though they posed no visible threat to me.I started to feel comfortable after a while, as long as I saw no people. Once people were in the equation, fear would creep up again. However, since I walked with company, I was still relatively comfortable, but also felt protective towards my companions when I felt fearful myself. I was feeling excitement, purpose and peace before my walk alone. After my walk, I felt confident, conscious, aware. I got home knowing I wanted to walk alone more, and realized I would not have experienced what I had just experienced if not for the #WalkAlone. Since I had company, I was still comfortable, but this gave me confidence to venture out by myself.

* Action Hero Eeshita did her walk alone, in a group of three, for a duration of forty minutes.

Walk Alone Action Hero Satya Gummuluri

Location: Kreuzberg , Berlin, Germany.

I wanted to see a show in the Kreuzberg area. I felt unselfconscious.

I was in Berlin .I find it safe compared to other places I have been to. I was not threatened or did not feel unsafe.I was going to an area I haven't been to before in a city I don't live in, so I was mostly absorbed in figuring out directions. I also felt excited, proud, solidarity before doing the Walk Alone. After the walk I felt happy, buzzed, solidarity. I got home and didn't sleep until later... I was a bit buzzed with excitement! On the train back, i had seen an ad for a group that helps refugee women. (i tried searching for it online but haven't been successful). it talked about women connecting with refugee women and helping them navigate the city and new life. i was a bit emotional reading the ad. it is humbling to see the efforts of so many women working so hard at every level.

* Action Hero Satya walked for one hour.

Walk Alone Action Hero Nomita Khatri

Location: Succorro, Goa, India.

I walked from my apartment up to and then past the Succorro Church and onwards on the road hugging the Church deeper into the same area. I chose not to walk alone. I invited a (male) friend to walk with me and did that because of the anxiety I was feeling at the thought to having to traverse, what ended up being a completely unlit part of my planned walk. Had I been on my own I might not have chosen to walk that particular pathway.

I noticed the surprise (and care) of passing motorists on the dark patch of path we walked. I noticed that while I was the only woman walking the streets, in the areas lit my street lamps, I did not feel out-of-place. At the thela we stopped at along the way I listened to the track that was playing on the radio. The singer (a woman) asks her "pia" to "kheech mere photo" in a constant refrain. Chilli bhajji's were being fried hot and served to an all-male audience (excluding myself). There were times I knew I felt safe walking with a male friend, simply because I was looked at a lot more especially as the evening wore on. Curiosity prompted the looking - it not being common in villages off the tourist circuit to see a woman walk after dark. I did walk cross a nallah, to find deep in the shadows of two trees standing side-by-side two boys, with a new bottle of alcohol and recently filled glasses. Did I feel threatened? No. I did remind me of the ways in which I would find ways to do what I was told explicitly not to as a teenager / young adult. On the walk back, the drinking twosome, had swelled in number to about 5 boys a lot louder than before, cell phones and drinks in hand. There was a perceived uncertainty in if they ought to react or respond to encountering me walk past without changing my sauntering pace.

Before my Walk Alone I felt a sense of freedom, release, anxiety. After the event I felt rested, grounded, energetic.

I think I need to walk thrice a week again - to allow the thoughts of the week to settle in me as well as make that connection to myself while I walk. It needs to be an unthinking part of my weekly/ daily rhythm.

* Action Hero Nomita walked for two and half hours.

Walk Alone Action Hero Madhura Chakraborty

Location: Siolim, Goa, India.

Walk Alone documentation/ reflection to be updated.

Walk Alone Action Hero Vira Mistry

Location: Indiranagar in Defence Colony, Bangalore, India.

I was initially going to walk in Tipassandra, but I changed the location because it was my first Walk Alone and I wanted to be in a more familiar space. And even though it is home to me and I have grown up there, I rarely walk around at night after 9 and wanted to experience it. I was anxious, excited, curious.

It was raining and I had a big sweatshirt on and my hood was up. I kept wondering if I even looked like a girl, and whether if I was wearing something different i wouldn't feel as safe. I always feel cozy in a sweatshirt, so I was kind of in my comfort zone because of this. There was a moment where a bike pulled up by me and that was a little nerve racking. I didn't say anything but it definitely made me feel uncomfortable. Which is strange because I was walking around in my neighbourhood.

Defense Colony is a very familiar place to me. I've grown up walking around those streets however I rarely venture out after 9:30 by myself. Most of the roads weren't lit up. There were a few people walking but they were mostly men and cars driving by. The roads were relatively quiet. I got home feeling elated, bold, happy. It was very hard to fall asleep once I got back home. I felt like my heart was racing.

* Action Hero Vira walked for twenty minutes.

Walk Alone Action Hero Lisa Heissenberg

Location: Braunschweig, Inner city, Christmas Market, Germany.

I like walking in deserted places. It was cold and as I walked I got used to the cold. It seemed more like a ghost town the more lost drunkards accumulated there and the more cleaning personnel tried to polish it up. Before my walk I felt tired, somewhat full of expectation, and a bit whacked. Afterwards, I felt awake, refreshed, a little healthier. After the walk I slept like a dead person right after checking online who else had shared some insights in their walk.

* Action Hero Lisa walked alone for one and half hours.

Walk Alone Action Hero Rekha Nigam

Location: Mandir road, behind Guru Nanak hospital, Bandra East, Mumbai, India.

It’s a place known for muggings and chain snatching. we are always warned against walking alone through this stretch. At first, apprehension, then relaxation, followed by exhilaration. It was empty...there were a lot of shadows....initially, I was peering in the shadows...slowly, I could smell flowers, recognise bushes and even saw a stray dog I recognised. I think, I felt more empowered as I walked. I felt I could take on anybody.

By the end of my walk I felt empowered, fearless and free. I also felt connected to all the other women on similar journeys.

* Action Hero Rekha walked alone for twenty minutes.

Walk Alone Action Hero Tanvee Nabar

Location: Bandra Mumbai, India.

Walk Alone documentation/ reflection to be updated.

Action Hero Tanvee spoke to Swedish TV about her Walk Alone.

Watch video here . Report by Malin Mendel Westberg

Walk Alone Action Hero Gopika Bashi

Location: Bangalore, Indira Nagar, Bangalore, India.

I walk past that spot during the day every day and chose to walk there that night.

Walking alone helps me process and reflect- realised I hadn't done it in a while (that late at night at least), and even though I'm aware of my surroundings, it's still quite an empowering feeling to walk alone:) I had just returned from a visit to the garment factory areas of Bangalore- walking alone at the end of a work day is normal for most women in that area, so there may not always be a direct correlation between time of day and safety, and many women don't even have a choice but to walk alone at night. This is an everyday reality for many women.

I noticed the emptiness, and quiet, occasionally disturbed by traffic noises. I felt fine, though I did stop at a shop, around which there were about ten men congregated. I didn't feel threatened- it just struck me how I'd never see a group of women like that:)

Before my walk alone, I felt tired, busy, reflective.

After the walk, I felt observant, reflective, curious

I got back feeling that there were others doing the same thing...that I was a part of a group of women doing the same thing, across cities.

* Action Hero Gopika walked alone for one hour.

Walk Alone Action Hero Jyotsna Kaur Habibullah

Location: MG Road, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

It is where I live and need to often walk alone there. I was confident and aware of my surroundings, yet felt threatened, unsafe, uneasy. At the end of my walk I felt empowered, strong, confident. I felt an awareness at the end of my walk alone, that we can go where we need to when we need to.

* Action Hero Jyotsna walked alone for thirty minutes.

Walk Alone Action Hero Archana Patel Nandi

Location: Sadashivpeth & Koregaon park, Pune. India

All of Pune was unknown to me...and since I was around that area I started from then.

Being new to the city, I was a little unsure. Then I thought to myself, how does it matter? “Jyada soch matt just go for it” / ‘Don’t think too much, just go for it’.

Sadashiv peth was crowded and was enjoying the weekend too! I felt excited, enthusiastic and sure.

* Action Hero Archana walked alone for two hours.

{{{ Anonymous Action Heroes }}}

Some who walked alone preferred to remain anonymous, but give consent share their response.

Walk Alone Action Hero 1

Location: On the road from Kanker to Korar, Chattisgarh, India

The location was convenient and secluded. I felt excited and nervous. I am a hesitant person. I am uncomfortable in strange situations. But at the same time I like to be adventurous. I definitely felt threatened. But I would have felt more threatened if there were people around.

I was relieved to have come back safely without any mishaps. I felt proud, relieved and happy.

* Walk Alone Action Hero 1 walked for twenty minutes

Walk Alone Action Hero 2

Location: On the road from Kanker to Korar, Chattisgarh, India

It is a route we travel a lot but never during the night. Wanted to explore that beautiful stretch during the night. I was very comfortable, at peace and enjoyed the night. We were the only people in that locality and felt safe in those familiar roads which we frequented during the day but never at night. Before the walk I felt worried, excited and determined. After the walk alone, I felt happy, comfortable and calm. I really enjoyed Walk Alone. Would love to do it more often. Felt more in touch with the place around me than even in the day.

* Walk Alone Action Hero 4 walked for thirty minutes.

Walk Alone Action Hero 3

Location: Panjim, Goa, India.

I live there. I did feel fear, uncertainty, reluctance before the event. When I was not afraid, I was aware of consciously avoiding eye contact with Indian men. My neighbourhood is fairly well lit, but pretty deserted after 10. It's a safe space though and the groups of Indian male tourists looking at me over the only strange factor. At the end of my walk I felt

exhilaration, confident, tired (fighting your fear tires you more than walking around!)

I became aware of the non-eye contact and was a little surprised by that. Never knew I went so much of my way to not-connect with Indian men. I keep making that distinction because I don't have the same fear with foreign men. Maybe it is years of experiencing harassment and groping by our own people that have made me wary. My experiences abroad and with visitors here have only been positive, though. And it saddens me. I'm sure others have contrary experiences - after all not all men are the same, but this is mine.

* Walk Alone Action Hero 2 walked for forty five

Walk Alone Action Hero 4

Location: Around and on Bondel Gate Bridge in Kolkata, India

I chose to walk here because it's the only place near my home where I'm afraid of walking alone near midnight. I was glad I'd brought along my phone/handycam since it gave me the appearance of having a purpose. Initially I jumped at every passing bike with young pillion riders. I was slightly nervous for around 20 minutes. I felt defiant, curious, nervous. I also felt threatened by passing vehicles and stares, some curious, some ambiguous. Eventually, I felt safer but not as comfortable as I would like to feel. At the end of my walk, I felt I'm not yet ready to trust idle strangers, perhaps just as much as they're suspicious of me. I would like to strengthen that trust. I'll be doing this again and again, giving them and myself more chances.

* Walk Alone Action Hero 3 walked for forty minutes.

Walk Alone Action Hero 5

Location: Vidhyadhar Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

I had done a previous initiative for sleeping in a park ( Meet To Sleep) with my friends, I did feel like a part of something bigger, that is standing in sisterhood! I was excited to have this opportunity. I was also a little nervous, sceptical and scared about walking alone at first, but after five minutes I felt more comfortable.

It is a little scary when you walk alone at night, just because it's empty and I didn't see anyone else. I have walked the path a lot of times because it's my neighbourhood, or been in a car. I was aware that if I would've been with someone else or driving, I wouldn't have felt nervous there.

I felt confident and happy after walking. I felt like I need to do it more and encourage others to individually contribute to such initiatives because these experiences and fear are mostly female. A man wouldn't think twice about walking alone for fear of constant insecurity of the worst case scenarios coming true, though in fairness the fears are completely based on facts of life! Still, it felt nice!

* Walk Alone Action Hero 5 walked for twenty minutes

Walk Alone Action Hero 6

Location: Allahabad

Action Hero 6 walked alone in Allahabad because she believes she deserves freedom.

She does not wish to share her walk alone experience on a public platform.

Walk Alone Action Hero 7

Location: Nagenhalli, Yelahanka, Bangalore, India.

I need the company of other woman, which I trust, to feel comfortable that enables me to go for the walk alone. At least in some distance, to know in case something bad would happen I wouldn't be alone. Normally I don't look in people's eyes, I feel as if I have to shut myself in order to stay safe. But what I want to face is my fear to keep on being silent about sexual harassment towards me. I want to wear my head up high, not afraid of meeting eyes, and if anything would happen – to scream.

I felt apprehension, strength, trust before the walk . I walked in a group of three.

We walked an empty road to the village, crossing railway tracks. I see only a few men here and there. If I would be alone, I would be in a totally attentive all over state. No streetlight anymore. At the edge to nature, sometimes more afraid of an animal to appear or darkness itself. I feel nothing will happen, but alone – I wouldn't be here.Silence.Listening. Eyes wide open. After the walk I felt clarity, trust, empowerment

Action Hero 7 walked alone for 1 hour 20 minutes.

About #WalkAlone #AkeliAwaaraAzaad:

Walk Alone was initiated by Blank Noise in 2016. ,

This was the third Walk Alone ( December 2, 2016 ) joined forces with Why Loiter and Amnesty International India.

Walk Alone #Akeli Awaara Azaad was first held between 12 -19 June 2016 and again on September 25, December 2nd, 2016. 48 Action Heroes have led Walk Alone in 21 cities (Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Allahabad, Lucknow, Delhi, Berlin, Pune, Kolkata, Siolim, Panjim, Aararim Wada, Jaipur, Berlin- Germany, Braunschweig- Germany , Dawlish in Devon- UK, Toronto-Canada, Shillong, Koppa, Pakistan, Chhattisgarh) Walk Alone organisational/ community allies include Jagori, Why Loiter, Amnesty International India, Awadh Mango Growers Association, Girls At Dhabas and Write To Maati

Press link, The Guardian , Better India

Walk Alone map prepared by Action Hero Lisa Heissenberg, BangaloREsidency, Max Mueller Bhavan Remote Resident at Blank Noise.

Walk Alone map prepared by Action Hero Lisa Heissenberg, BangaloREsidency, Max Mueller Bhavan Remote Resident at Blank Noise.

Walk Alone #Akeli Awaara Azaad was first held between 12 -19 June 2016 and again on September 25, December 2nd, 2016. Action Heroes have led Walk Alone in 21 cities (Bangalore, Mumbai, Pune, Allahabad, Lucknow, Delhi, Berlin, Pune, Kolkata, Siolim, Panjim, Aararim Wada, Jaipur, Berlin- Germany, Braunschweig- Germany , Dawlish in Devon- UK, Toronto-Canada, Shillong, Koppa, Pakistan, Chhattisgarh) Walk Alone organisational/ community allies include Jagori, Why Loiter, Amnesty International India, Awadh Mango Growers Association, Girls At Dhabas and Write To Maati

Press link, The Guardian , Better India

Blank Noise

March 1, 2015

Meet To Sleep. Feb 28. Bangalore

Blank Noise

March 1, 2015

Action Hero Lijya

Action Heroes Bhawana Udhani , Satya Gummuluri , Shruti Chandrashekharan, Yamini Deen
Monica Nanjunda, Maria Emille Burger, Lijya Perayil, Rishita Nandagiri

Action Hero Evetta Cardosa with her friends

Satya Gummuluri

"i sleep when i feel like it.
i sleep where i like. i'm just a person who's sleepy, So i sleep. i make myself comfortable - i ignore the unwanted, i let the breeze whisper. i sleep. So what."
"Meet to Sleep was a wake up call - having spent years abroad in places where one moves about with hardly any social scrutiny, I had forgotten what it means to have people question one for something as insignificant as sleeping outdoors while being female. Repressed memories from a time long ago bubbled back up.

Monica Nanjunda:

I slept well in a public park for the first time in my life, when I joined in with the Blank Noise 'Meet To Sleep'. I felt safe only because there were plenty of other people from the group around, who where also sleeping nearby. I wouldn't have the courage to do it alone

It made me so aware of how I am actually not at all comfortable to doze off in any public space. Like for example, public transports. In a bus or a taxi or an auto. I am always scared to go into deep sleep. The realisation makes me angry/frustrated and every once in while, I need this anger to be addressed through activities like meet to sleep. So that I constantly remember this unfairness and not unconsciously accept the way things are.

Lijya Perayil:
I still remember the first time that I tried to put myself to sleep in a park at the first Meet to Sleep event. I consciously spoke to my head and mind to relax, trust the environment and be at peace. I reminded myself of all the strangers in my life who've been good to me or whom I've had good experiences with. It brought a smile to my face and helped me loosen my otherwise ever present guard for the outside. I think I'm getting more and more comfortable indulging in the activity now. Am normalising the act of sleeping in a park in my own head. It's a liberating feeling to be able to do it--Actually sleep in a park. The nap was refreshing and makes me want to do it more often. The feeling after having slept in the park is just incredible .. sort of makes me wonder why I didn't do it before and makes me a little sad of what I've been missing out on for so long!

Shruti Chandrasekaran:
Meeting to sleep reinforced for me the bliss of being oblivious in using public spaces. Being in a group helped me let my guard down and enjoy that beautiful afternoon without worrying about the integrity of my personal space, and the absence of that fear helped me see how it's up to me to place my trust in the environment and use it without constraint- most of my apprehensions stemmed from being brought up thinking being very cautious will help prevent some supposedly inevitable injury. I have subsequently napped by myself in the park and it was great!