Inspiring tales of bravery

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RJs Swati and Piyush talk to real life heroes as part of an ongoing campaign against crime

With the rise in the number of crimes in Delhi, the capital is now infamous as the “crime capital of India”. Many citizens feel that instead of blaming the government or society, they should stand up against offenders and fight back. In an initiative to celebrate this conviction of ordinary citizens who displayed courage against criminals, a popular radio station has started a show that features real life heroes every day as part of an ongoing campaign against crime.

We find out more from the hosts of the show, RJ Swati and RJ Peeyuush, who wake up the city everyday with their crime fighters.
Sharing stories of brave Delhiites, who faced different types of criminal activities is an interesting way to spread the message among the citizens. RJ Peeyush says, “Crime as a genre is being explored for the first time on radio. The campaign on our prime-time show comes from an inherent responsibility to highlight what we think should be brought to the notice of our listeners. These real life heroes instill a sense of pride in their fellow citizens.”
He adds, “Amongst the many stories of brave Delhiites that we shortlisted, we realised that women were largely the targets in crimes ranging from chain snatching, abduction, break-in robberies to molestation and human trafficking. We found many brave women after an intensive research, and we were surprised as they were quite interested in talking about the incidents on the show.”
RJ Swati, who co-hosts the show, points to the rampant cases of eve-teasing in the city. She says, “None of us are new to criminal activities. As Delhiites, we have come face-to-face with crime in some way or another. From bribery to eve teasing to other serious crimes, the city is no longer a safe place for people. Eve-teasing in the capital is very common, and like any other girl I too faced it on several occasions. As a responsible citizen I always make sure that I inform the police about any suspicious activity that I notice around me.”
This campaign narrates stories of exemplary courage displayed by common people who used their awareness, common sense, and quick thinking to fight crime. RJ Swati recalls an interesting anecdote and says, “Asha Lal from Shahdara was an interesting, and impressive case in point. She hired an auto from the railway station to her house with her five-year-old grand daughter. She was carrying jewellery and cash in her luggage. On the way and the auto driver called up his gang members and they accompanied them as fellow passengers. The gangsters fled after robbing her and even though her husband was in the police, she couldn’t register an FIR. She went back to the railway station with her husband and recognised the auto driver, who was later nabbed by the police. Not only did she find her valuables but she also got the entire gang jailed. Her never-say-die spirit and her honesty impressed us a lot.”
The RJs reveal that this campaign against crime has generated an immense response. They mention, “It was planned as a 15-day activity on air, however the number of stories we are getting every day is really astonishing. With this kind of response we might extend the duration. The phone lines are abuzz with hundreds of listeners, who call in to talk and congratulate the crime fighter of the day.”