Aapa Bano (65+), based in Okhla, New Delhi, has been working as a Dhobi/ washerwoman her entire life. She shares some details of her time working as a Dhobi. She recalls the transformation of the ghat, some caste dimensions of the Dhobi community, her new laundry business and the recent demolition of the ghat.

Interviewer: Mariam Fatima

Interviewee: Aapa Bano

Language: Hindi

This interaction features Mrs Aboli, an architect residing in a safe and green locality called Laxminagar in Nagpur. She shares her experiences at public places like neighbourhood parks, supermarkets, local auditoriums, and other places she likes to visit in her free time. She enjoys lively socio-cultural spaces and loves to spend time in natural environments. She also mentions ways in which urban environments can become safer for women. She talks about regular patrolling, well-lit streets, increased security around slum pockets, and the presence of clean public toilets for women as safety measures that can make a public space inclusive for women and children as well.

A homemaker from Ahmedabad, Gita likes to walk around her society to get a breath of fresh air when her day’s work is done. She is particularly fond of the Sola Bhagwat temple from where she derives the much needed peace.

Interviewee

Gita Vyas

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language

An architect from the small town of Ziro, Subha talks of a simple, public space which is frequented by the local for the lack of a defined community space. It is a place that gives one an expansive view of the serene landscape. These details transport us to the location itself, where one can take in its fresh air! Her idea of women safety is not a generic one but stems from and applies, mostly, to her own town.

Interviewee

Subha H

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

Hindi

A former history student, Eeshani lives at the outskirts of Indore and prefers to visit the nearby running track. Interestingly, she highlights how the same place becomes unsafe in the evening. She also talks of Indore in light of its rapid urbanisation. 

Interviewee

Eeshani J

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

English

A homemaker and a professional cleaner, Taraka yearns to escape the city noise to be at calmer places. She is straightforward and clear about what she wants from her place of respite.

Interviewee

Taraka O

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

Hindi

A homemaker and an H.R. Professional from Chandigarh, Hemakshi likes to take her child to the neighbourhood park. And with her Mother, she likes to visit the city plaza. Throughout the talk, she brings out well the planned aspects of her city.

Interviewee

Hemakshi N

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language

A homemaker and a businesswoman from Panjim, Sheetal explains why walking at the local beach is her most enjoyable experience. She is appreciative of the walking experience that the city gives her, in general as well as the fact that it functions at a comfortable pace.

Interviewee

Sheetal Surve

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

Hindi

An architecture student from Bengaluru, Maanvi guides you through places that one can hop around in here which include attractions like Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh. She explains why this city has an ‘old world charm’ to it and concludes with a unique idea to ensure women safety.

Interviewee

Maanvi K

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

English 

A student of urban design from Bhilai, Riya talks of the residual empty spaces between bungalows as the ideal open space in terms of accessibility and physicality, for people of her generation and younger. She points out that the public places to be avoided are some of the male-dominated areas she has visited. She puts forward a few recommendations.

Interviewee

Riya Singh

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

English 

A software developer by profession, Rushi describes her select choices of public spaces in Jamshedpur. She talks about why she does not like visiting parks and raises issues regarding public transportation in the city. On account of having a hearing impairment herself, she presents to us a unique perspective.

Interviewee

Rushi Sen

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

English and Hindi

Sharvani is a chartered accountancy student who lives in the ‘Salt Lake’ area of Kolkata. She shares that this neighborhood has ample parks and describes the one she prefers for her morning walks. On a general note, she suggests that the Hooghly river ghat has the potential to become a major attraction for Kolkata.

Interviewee

Sharvani G

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

English

Kajal is a homemaker from Pune, who clearly states reasons on why a mall is the ideal go-to place for any homemaker. Living close to a highway, she also points out why she, compulsorily, has to take out her car to reach even the nearest market. However, she has also shared, in detail, her delight for the nearby street market. 

Interviewee

Kajal Singh

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

Hindi

Sunita is a homemaker residing in Ahmedabad. She likes to walk in her neighbourhood parks and draws a comparison between two of them, at ONGC and the Railway ground. Her occasional visits with her husband, to the Narmada canal on the city outskirts are special for her. She finds that the surrounding greenery and the water body give her a lot of joy. 

Interviewee

Sunita Sharma

Interviewer 

Vidisha Sahay

Language 

Hindi

A teacher by profession and a long-time resident of Jamshedpur, Sapna is always excited to visit new places that offer different kinds of food. She shares with us her experiences of a street food lane where most people in their neighbourhood stop by on their way to the city market. She talks about the needs and concerns of both visitors and vendors.

Interviewee

Sapna Jacob

Interviewer

Vidisha Sahay

Language

Hindi

Debleena who is a recent graduate and trained as a software engineer describes the public spaces in Bhubaneshwar where she has spent her college years. She draws our attention to two kinds of spaces that she would visit: tourist spots and “hangout” spots. She narrates what is unique about them both.

Interviewee

Debleena Sarkar

Interviewer

Vidisha Sahay

Language

English

A student of urban design, Anushka  talks about Patna’s Gandhi Maidan as an open space that lends itself to several people for leisure activities. It particularly serves as a many-in-one cricket ground. She points out that a public space seems to belong to those who claim it. She emphasizes the need for girls and women to be there at this huge ground to make their mark in a public place where today cricket dominates.

Interviewee

Anushka Priyedarshi

Interviewer

Vidisha Sahay

Language

Hindi

A landscape architect by profession, Shanthi Kavi always finds the time to stop by the Besant Nagar beach in Chennai. She shares that she is mesmerized by the water, waves, colour, sand and enjoys watching the different kinds of people who come by. She explains why the beach is a “must visit” place for the locals although there a few parks nearby too. The concern she highlights is primarily regarding sanitation.

Interviewee

Shanthi Kavi

Interviewer

Vidisha Sahay

Language

English