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Yes, women are safe in India. But safety comes with terms and conditions here. Im a woman who has lived and traveled across India, from small, unknown towns to large cities. So I think I have a fair idea of womens safety in India. Here are some T&C:
In local trains of metro cities, always travel in ladies compartment. Similarly, when you take local buses, prefer seats reserved for women in the front. If you dont get a seat, its better to stand near the ladies seats than looking for other empty seats. Its much better if you happen to own/rent a scooty/car. But when traveling after dark, stick to well-lit/crowded areas and avoid any short cuts. Traffic does give you some advantages, you see!Unfortunately, if you are traveling in a small city or town, do not travel alone at any time at all. Never take public transport. Ask your male relative/friend to escort you everywhere instead.Always prefer Ola/Uber to local taxis and autos. These apps have a share location option. When you board the cab, call your family/friend and say loudly, Okay Im sharing the details with you. Please checkWhen traveling long distances, flights are better than trains, even if they are expensive. When youre traveling in a flight, always prefer the aisle seat. Oh! and look for flights that depart/land between 6am-6pm. The same can be said for buses and trains (short distances)When traveling, wear long/loose Kurti and Jeans. In this way, your cleavage/curves are not exposed. Also, make sure your Jeans has huge pockets where you can keep your phone, keys, pepper spray, etc.Your smartphone is your biggest asset when traveling. But sadly, most smartphones have terrible batteries. So always carry a power bank.Book your room in reliable/well-known hotels. Check online reviews everytime and make sure you book in advance, instead of going to the hotel and booking offline.Stay awake and alert while traveling. Always. You can always rest when you reach your destination. Whenever I travel alone in India, I make it a point not to fall asleep. So I listen to loud music or read an interesting book. If you literally cant help yourself from dozing off, set alarms at 1-hr intervals. If youre in a cab and traveling within a city, set alarms at 15-min intervals.