Delhi gang-rape: Candles, prayers as scores remember victim in Singapore

Singapore: Scores of people lit candles and pledged to do their bit to ensure respect and safety for women, as they assembled together in the memory of the Delhi gang-rape victim, who passed away at a hospital a month back. Over 300 people assembled together last evening and held a candle light vigil under the theme `Lighting the flame of hope for a better tomorrow` as they remembered the 23-year-old girl who became a symbol for massive protests in India. The meet also saw professionals sharing their views and perspectives on violence against women, gender bias and law and order. The talks were interspersed by motivational songs, said Amita Sarwal, who led a group of volunteers to organise the Sunday evening vigil. The girl who was flown to Singapore`s Mount Elizabeth Hospital after spending over 10 days in Delhi`s Safdarjung hospital, died on December 29. "We believe that shared remembrance and group participation itself is a positive statement as opposed to just doing nothing at all," said Amita, who hails for India but resides in Singapore. "We have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from people in Singapore from all walks of life educationists, doctors, lawyers, artists, musicians, writers, professionals, and many more," she said. "The event was to remind each one of us that this journey of change has just begun, a pledge was taken by all present, basically, promising to do their bit to take a stand on women`s equality, respect and safety," Amita said. The December 16 incident that happened on a moving bus in Delhi sparked angry protests in the Indian capital. Aman Narain, a 36-year-old banker and avid blogger, said "Violence against women comes from a lack of respect and education and I am passionate about making sure those values are embedded in my workplace and any community I am able to touch. Deeply shocked and angered by the recent events in India I am motivated further to drive these values harder and wider than before". Visual artist and designer Ketna Patel, 44, said she believed the complex, multi-faceted society we live in is responsible for de-sensitisation in many cases. "We all live in an elaborate and sensitive web of humanity, where, according to quantum physics, one person`s thoughts on one side of the world can affect many, thousands of miles away". Dr Shirin Jacob, 53, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist also touched upon the issue of women`s safety at home. "Sadly, the unsafe space for many women and children (rape victims) was in their own homes... In a situation with extremely unsafe adults. As they say, the fox was in the chicken coop," she said. PTI