The two sisters are used to taking a walk, do a little shopping and eat out at a restaurant almost every other day.[break]
But for the girls, it was not as much fun as it sounds. “Returning home was a major problem because there wasn´t any public transportation available even if we were a bit late,” recalls Dikshya. But things have turned out quite easy these days for both the girls for they have recently bought a scooter. They can now roam around town freely and independently even late at night.
Scooters have proved to be a great help to get around for the girls and the entire lot of the young women in today´s Kathmandu.
Girls, these days, seem to enjoy partying, and that too, late night, and get togethers are also on the rise. But returning home after the party has always been the major problem like the Khand sisters had experienced for almost all the girls.
Usually, girls depend on their fathers or brothers or even male friends to drop them back home after staying out late for parties or programs. But over the recent years, girls riding scooters have dramatically increased. And these days, thanks to their easy rides, girls themselves can go anywhere without having to depend on their male counterparts.
Anjila Shrestha, 20, says, “I am a huge ‘party goer’ but whenever I had to return home after any late night party, I had to call my father or brother, which was very irritating.” But now since she owns a scooter, she can return home without having to bother anyone. She also mentions how she is now free from annoying behavior of boys that she used to face while traveling in public transportation. “I feel so much more independent and free after I bought the scooter,” Anjila adds with a smile.
Schooters have not only provided freedom which the party animals are enjoying, they have also made the lives of girls who work easier. “I am a job holder and my scooter has been of great help,” says Heera Lama, 19. She further explains how she was about to quit her job because she was not being able to manage her time. Her college, she says, gets over at 9:45 am and needs to reach work by 10 sharp. “It was impossible for me to reach work on the dot because the distance between my college and office is quite long,” she says.
Things have changed for Heera now. “I’m now able to work and earn and it is because I own the scooter. And, because I have a job, I don’t have to ask for pocket money with my parents and I’m proud of it,” asserted Heera. She thanks her scooter for making her more independent.
No doubt, the girls who own scootys seem happy but the ones who are deprived of one seem to be wishing for one. Amrita Sharma, 21, wishes to buy a scooter and live an independent life. She has a job but is finding it difficult to keep up with it. She has reached her office late many times. “I don’t want to quit my job but I am unable to manage my timings,” shares Amrita with a gloomy face.
She wants to juggle her job and studies. But she reaches work late and her boss gets annoyed. These days she leaves her last class to get to work on time. “I know it is hampering my studies but I can’t quit my job. I am, therefore, thinking of purchasing a scooter. I’ am sure it will be a great help,” adds Sharma.
Scooters are not only the in-things right now but have become a necessity for the young girls in Kathmandu where getting into a cab during the night time is not considered safe anymore. Girls have found independency in riding scootys. Going back home late at night after a party or work is no longer a problem for them!
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