an improvement by government and it is highlighted in newspaper

In many Indian cities public buses have seats reserved for women. Many a times it is seen that this is only for notices, but never actually followed. Women are standing while their 'reserved' seats are occupied by men, many a times young and strong. This was the case in Pimpri-Chinchwad, a satellite city of Pune.

A local vernacular daily followed this case and reported facts. It was brought to the notice of officials of the transport service as also to municipal corporators and officials. They agreed that rules are not followed and assured to improve the situation. Training and rules' guidelines were given to all bus drivers, conductors, ticket checkers etc. The newspaper reviwed the situation and noted that there was improvement but not enough. Matter was again taken up with the bus service and they carried out internal improvements with more vigour. Another check after a few weeks and to the surprise of everybody that the seats were actually used only for and by women. It was also observed at PMC starting point that passangers enter in queue and if these reserved seats are vacant even after rest of the bus is full, then women still standing in queue waiting for the next bus are asked to come in ahead and occupy these vacant seats. Kudos to everybody involved in this exercise - the newspaper and its staff, officials of the transport service and of municipal coporations.

I feel that the newspaper deserves special accolade for highlighting the actual improvement. In today media full of negativities, such an act must be appreciated.

My thanks to everybody involved.