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ROHIT -- Good evening, Varun! How was the 'Pongal'?

VARUN -- Nothing special except the delicious sweet pongal that my mother prepared.

PRAVEEN -- (smiling) I thought that you would have gone to attend 'jallikattu'. Not brave enough, eh?

VARUN -- Brave? I think that it is foolish to continue with that traditional sport. Every year a few lives are lost and hundreds of people get hurt...still they carry on.

ROHIT -- I agree with you. But tell me where there is no risk? There the man is 'bull-dozed' and here a woman living alone is bulldozed by intruders.

PRAVEEN -- I know what you are referring to. Isn't it about the attacks on women who are alone at home? The culprits target such women for attack and swindle them of money or jewels.

VARUN -- It is shocking to read that the culprits are all young, aged between 25 and 30. They have a false notion that it is an easy way to make money.

ROHIT -- It is high time some concrete step was taken to avoid such incidents. You know, sometimes the fault lies with the victims too. They let in strangers without making proper enquiries or they are careless about their own safety. If it is an apartment, one has to make sure that the security man accompanies the visitors and confirms their identity with the owners.

PRAVEEN -- I feel that if someone is living alone, he or she has to avail of the facility of an intercom, which could be connected to the nearest apartment. It will be an effective safety measure as the neighbour can come to her/his rescue immediately.

VARUN -- That is a good idea. Even if one smells danger, she can call for help through the intercom. Usually, in deluxe or super deluxe apartments, the intercom is connected to the security man. Unless the owner gives the clearance, he will not send the visitor inside.

ROHIT -- This is meant only for the affluent but what about lesser mortals? In some cases the security men themselves are in collusion with the culprits and indulge in heinous crimes. So, it is up to us to take all precautions and act wisely in times of danger.

PRAVEEN -- You are right. In fact, the police advice that in such cases where a woman or a man is alone, that they inform them if they employ a servant or helper whose identity can be checked or verified by the police.

VARUN -- In most cases, the children are either living abroad or separately and so it is a case of 'empty-nest' syndrome for the parents. You know, this problem never arose in the olden days when there was the joint family system.

ROHIT -- How nice it would be to revert to those good old days! I hope there is a resurgence of this system, which will benefit the young and old alike.

PRAVEEN -- Well, the solution lies with the younger generation. They have to be the decision-makers. Who knows? The tide may turn and once again the old system may come into vogue.

ROHIT -- Till then, God bless the 'home-alone' with a safe and secure life!

Radha N.