take a minute: give a thought: take a stand!

spdp thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#1
On this Navya forum:
we all love this youth based- college based fresh show, we all feel it connects to us in one way or the other!
We see ourselves in their college masti - their laughs-their cries!
We all dearly remeber first episode: where Anant saves Navya from mis behaving goons! And we all still get goosebumps rewatching that episode!
Well , friends: I specially want my younger friends to read this: as it cud have been any of us!
I am glad Shaheer tweeted about it!
About 2 young men killed by goons - because they stood against harrasment!
Please go to this pages : and read about it!
This is what Kennan's girlfriend has to say: Please read! God bless!
Mumbai: 19-year-old Priyanka Fernandes speaks about her horrifying ordeal on October 20, when she lost her boyfriend Keenan Santos and friend Reuben Fernandes, who stood up to some local goons who were harassing the girls in their group.

It was one of our regular evenings out, with our regular group of inseparable friends, at our regular rendezvous, just a short walk away from our homes. How could the most commonplace evening out end in such a tragedy, costing me two of my most loved friends? The fateful night of October 20 is branded in my memory, as it was then that I learnt of the ruthless ways of this world, where those who raise their voice against injustice and depravity have to pay for their creed with their lives.

Like most other city girls my age, I was enjoying the company of my friends, blissfully oblivious to the horrors that awaited us. I remember that it was about 10:30 pm, and the stretch outside Amboli Bar and Kitchen, where we had dined, was bustling with life. The nearby cafe, a regular haunt for local youth, was doing brisk business, and the doors to a political party's office, to our right, were wide open.

After dinner, we were taking a leisurely stroll, and had stopped for paan, when disaster struck. The goons who had harassed us a while ago returned with their cronies, who brandished weapons. They started brutally assaulting the guys in our group.

Screamed for help

When my friends Keenan and Reuben were being stabbed repeatedly, mercilessly, I could see at least 50 eyewitnesses, who stood like stone, unmoving and unmoved, as we screamed for help. Not one came forward to join the fray, to help us fight against a reprehensible crime.

I am proud of my friends. They did not stand by and tolerate the brazen disrespect that our assailants displayed for women. They took the blows, uncomplainingly. I am equally disappointed with God's own people, who turned away, afraid that they would have to bear the brunt of a fight that was not theirs. They knew that we were fighting injustice.

Unearthly hour
10:30 pm is not an unearthly hour. There are girls in this city who work in BPOs, and return to their homes in the wee hours of the morning, when the streets are deserted. What will happen to them? Who will fight for them? Will they be slaughtered too, for offering to help? Should no one stand up to protest what is wrong?

Grateful
I am grateful to the many people who have shown solidarity and support in our hours of grief. But I fail to comprehend certain things. We dined at the restaurant every week, we walked those very streets every day. But none of the restaurant employees, and not one of the local security guards came forward to help us, even though they knew us well.

When the goons came back for us, Keenan pushed me into the restaurant, and fought for my honour. He took the blows till he dropped. All the while, I kept dialing 100 on my phone, to seek help from the cops. Even when Keenan collapsed, I was still on hold. No one answered my call.

I rushed to his side. He tried to speak, but lost consciousness. His abdomen had been torn apart. We had planned our entire future together. He was building the foundations of our life together, and was about to embark to Dubai to work as a bartender. But those hopes and dreams have lost all meaning, just because some men insisted on having their way with us, and couldn't stomach the slap that they received in return. The only response they knew was of violence, so they came back with 17 other men, who brandished knives, bamboos and daggers to avenge their leaders.

The other two girls who accompanied me that night are too afraid to speak about their harrowing experience. Our lives have come to a screeching halt, and our families are still reeling from the shock. Initially, I was afraid as well. But now I have decided not to surrender to fear. I'll be strong and fearless, as that is the legacy left behind by Keenan. In all our four years together, I saw him spread joy, help the elderly and respect women.

I would always go about saying boldly that a few untoward incidents should not prevent girls from enjoying themselves. Even today, I stand by what I said. But I hope that men in the city will learn from Keenan's fearlessness, and not turn a blind eye to such situations. These goons think that they always have it their way. We should change their ideas.


Read more at:
http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/keenans-girlfriend-describes-how-he-was-killed-146488&cp
Edited by spdp - 13 years ago

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Noaddict thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#2
Thanks for sharing, Shaina.Its really heart wrenching at what has happened and that too in a city like Mumbai.
😭
ashakd thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#3
Ohhh thanks Shaina, I so wanted to read this story very badly. I had no idea what had happened. Thanks buddy for getting it to our notice. Justice will prevail.
anyaRockz thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#4
@spdp, thanks for bringing in such a sensitive topic in the forum ! I had some idea about the incident but, now it's clear in my mind.

I condemn the heinous act by those local goons (empowered by our corrupt politicians for their vested interest) !! Such a ruthless and barbaric did that took to precious life before it fully blossomed.

My prayers for Priyanka so that she does not loose heart, she is a brave girl and ready fight for a cause that has completely withered her life! May God give her the internal strength to successfully go ahead with the mission of her life – 'Justice for Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandes' !


nishkala thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#5
Thanks Shaina for putting this post...this is indeed a great one

I saw this on TV Shaina...This is such a sad situation.Will things ever change in our society?...There are so many questions which is just ignored because they have no answers...Most of us live with only empty hopes,which we know never exists.I thank my fate and god every day just because I LIVED...just because I escaped a bomb blast,terrorist attack,Goon's attack,random shoot outs and accidents due to faulty system...😕
Edited by nishkala - 13 years ago
laddoo598 thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#6
I read about this in FB and joined the cause as well..If girls are in such a vulnerable position in a modern metro city like Mumbai then I shudder to think whats happening in other parts of the country..Eve-Teasing is one of the biggest stigmas on today's society and these two brave men should be called martyrs because they lost their lives defending a woman's honour..I desperately hope the killers don't escape because of political intervening, bribing, and other BS..I mean if the murderer had the audacity to come back with 17 other men all equipped with weapons, in a place that was far from being deserted, than he surely has someone powerful backing him up..Hope justice will not be delayed, we need prove that the judicial system is not just a puppet in the hands of the rich and mighty..RIP Keenan Santos and Reuben Fernandez..
Thank you for posting this Shaina..
nuttycleo thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#7
I missed this post earlier, & wasnt aware of this incident. Glad that i was toiling thru the pages..thanks Shaina for putting it up.
it makes one think... not about how really unsafe the world is...but how scared it is to extend support & eager to remain as a mere nameless, faceless onlooker. Moreover...it makes me wonder...what would I have done if i was one of the bystanders...would i be a hypocrite or a brave soul?
I hope Priyanka gets the strength to plough through all obstacles that are thrown at her & may Keenan & Reuben's deaths get justice.
Aanchal15 thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#8
Thanks Shaina, for bringing it to our notice😃...I am sorry, was unaware of the same😔..
Really depressing news.😭..so will one human being not help another when in dire need???😲😒
Have ppl forgotten being Human??😒
And, shocked to see it happen in a city like Mumbai.😲😲..that very city which rose to overcome some dangerous elements of society when they knew that our country's safety had been compromised...
Hope the culprits are brought to justice and are not allowed to go scot free, because of some high level connections...😔
Edited by Aanchal15 - 13 years ago
samratrocks thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#9
its heart wrenching.. i thnku u fr sharing it in da forum...
zara990 thumbnail
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Posted: 13 years ago
#10
Thanks for sharing Shaina. It's really a touching story. May their souls rest in peace

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