In the wake of the Kolkata rape-murder case, a retired colonel recently took to social media to share why he supports his daughter’s decision to settle outside the country. In a post on X, user Col Sanjay Pande shared that his daughter completed her three years in graduation in Delhi. “We, then, lived in a super posh colony in South Delhi. College was 15 minutes walk of which 7 mins was within colony and seven on main road,” he said. 

The user went on to say that half the route towards her daughter’s college was inside a “very premium government auditorium” and the rest was on a footpath with “an institutional area wall”. “SAFEST right? No shops, no public, main road, no people and absolutely safe road,” he asked. In the following lines, he shared his daughter’s harrowing experiences.

Take a look at the post below: 

With so many posts on ‘women don’t come to India’ and ‘women go abroad’, here is my own story.

My daughter did her three years of graduation in Delhi. We, then, lived in a super posh colony in South Delhi. College was 15 minutes walk of which 7 mins was within colony and seven…

— Col Sanjay Pande (@ColSanjayPande) August 16, 2024

“Cars would slow down and guys would ask her to ‘accompany’! They would ask ‘rate’. I was sure someone would be doing the same with the guys sister, daughter, wife too. In second year I gave her a car exclusively. No stepping on road. Ever,” he shared. 

The retired colonel posted how when his daughter wanted to settle abroad, he agreed and supported her. “This was 13 years back. She has right to her life. She is abroad since then. I could afford. What about 95% plus who cannot?” he expressed. 

The post was shared just a day back. Since then, it has accumulated more than 878,000 views. 

Reacting to the post, one user shared, “I lived in South Delhi and each time I had to take an auto or cab at night because of late work, it gave me so much anxiety. Just waiting for the auto made so many men stop and stare. I can totally relate to her.”

Also Read | Bengaluru Man Claims Movers And Packers Stole Items Worth Lakhs, Firm Reacts

“It’s so sad really. As an Indian woman, I wish someone could teach our men to respect women as human beings. It has to start in every household, every school, every step of the way and I’m not sure how we make it happen but it needs to happen,” commented another. 

“It’s an everyday tale. The fact that a lot of people normalise it and say a woman should learn self defence or fight this or shame the abuser is illogical. Why should women not just step out and go about her day ?!” said a third user. 

“It’s common behavior. Used to happen routinely in the area outside our hospital, especially if standing at bus stop. One fellow was so persistent I removed the lab coat from my bag and showed him, saying ‘arre hasptal se hain, bhai’. He said ‘sorry sister’ and left,” shared a fourth X user. 

Two videos have gone viral on X (formerly Twitter) where officers of Bandhan Bank and Canara Bank can be seen reprimanding their junior employees using foul language over failing to meet targets. The clips capture instances of verbal abuse, intimidation and demands for excessive work hours. They have sparked discussion among social media users on workplace ethics and employee well-being. Both incidents even prompted the banks to issue a clarification on the matter.  

In one of the videos that surfaced on May 4, a Canara Bank officer Lokapati Swain can be seen scolding employees for prioritising personal time over work. He is seen shouting and pressuring staff members to work extra hours, even on holidays and leave their family obligations. “If you will not participate in recovery, including holidays because you want time after working to travel with your family but your hell to your family. What should I do? I don’t care about my family, I don’t care about my family also, I care about Canara Bank. So clear message to all, and if week-wise, Monday to Saturday, work is not happening, Saturday or Sunday, whenever holiday, and if you did not respond kindly, things will be different and for everyone be it officer, chief manager, AGM,” he said

Take a look below: 

At Canara Bank we always value the contribution of our employees and their families, it is proven time and again. The bank does not endorse this kind of individual behaviour and personal opinion of a particular staff. We assure that appropriate action is being taken.

— Canara Bank (@canarabank) May 4, 2024

Responding to the incident, Canara Bank said that it “always values” the contribution of employees and their families, and “it is proven time and again”. “The bank does not endorse this kind of individual behaviour and personal opinion of a particular staff. We assure that appropriate action is being taken,” it said in a statement on X.

Also read | Feeling Extremely Busy Can Damage Brain Health, Says Yale Psychologist

In the second video that surfaced last month, a Bandhan Bank officer, Kunal Bhardwaj, can be seen screaming at a junior employee who apparently did not meet the targets set for the month. The clip, which has now been deleted, captures Mr Bhardwaj using abusive language and questioning the employee’s shame for their performance. When the employee apologised for his mistake and promised to rectify it, Mr Bhardwaj said, “Definitely correct sir?… Are you even ashamed of yourself? This is March?”

The Bank has taken cognizance of the incident. At Bandhan Bank, we place high emphasis on values & we condemn such behaviour. We do not endorse or promote such approach. Necessary action has already been initiated & we will take appropriate steps in line with the Bank’s policy.

— Bandhan Bank (@bandhanbank_in) April 25, 2024

Reacting to this incident, Bandhan Bank said, “The Bank has taken cognizance of the incident. At Bandhan Bank, we place high emphasis on values and we condemn such behaviour. We do not endorse or promote such an approach. Necessary action has already been initiated and we will take appropriate steps in line with the Bank’s policy”. 

Despite clarifications from the banks, the videos have sparked outrage among social media users. “In an organisation as toxic as yours @canarabank thousands of such cases go unnoticed. What action has been done against one such hyped case? Also we will make sure the employee who highlighted this is not harrassed as you have a history of doing so!” wrote one user. 

“What kind of values you people  are talking about!  Subjugation , threatening ,pressurising, abetment of sucide,” expressed another. “Nothing new ! We all know the working culture in Canara Bank. Neither they respond to any emails nor they pick up any call,” commented a third. 

“@canarabank What has been shown in the video is the sad reality. I left the organisation because of the toxic culture. What action have you taken till now? Was there no other senior management staff in this meeting who interrupted during this task? Your policies are only on paper,” shared an X user. 

Former US President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, celebrated their 31st anniversary on Tuesday. The couple, who have been married since 1992, took to their official social media accounts to share heartwarming words for each other. In his post, while Mr Barack shared a picture of him and his wife posing together while standing in front of a field, Ms Michelle shared an image of her and Mr Barack smiling together in what appeared to be a park. 

“Happy anniversary, sweetheart! @MichelleObama, you’re brilliant, kind, funny, and beautiful – and I’m lucky to call you mine,” Brack Obama wrote on Instagram. 

Take a look below: 

Michelle Obama, on the other hand, shared a message in the caption about how special their relationship is. “31 years, and a lifetime to go. I love going through life with you by my side, @BarackObama. Happy anniversary, honey!” she wrote.

In the comment section of their posts, internet users praised the couple and congratulated them on their latest milestone. “sooo beautiful!!!!!! may love continue to flourish all around u in every may!!!! Blessings!!!!!!!” wrote one user. “That’s love right there in human form! Happy Anniversary,” said another. 

“Happy Anniversary, my own people. I love y’all too much. More grace, more smiles, more love to the best couple in the world,” commented a third. “Happy Anniversary to you both you have reached a great milestone wishing you Gods richest blessings Enjoy your day,” added another. 

Also Read | Victoria Beckham Addresses David Beckham’s Alleged Affair In Netflix Series

According to The Independent, the couple tied the knot in 1992 and they went on to welcome two daughters – Malia and Sasha. 

Last year too, the pair shared similar tributes in honour of their 30th anniversary. They uploaded throwback pictures from their wedding day and they expressed their love for each other. “Miche, after 30 years, I’m not sure why you look exactly the same and I don’t. I do know that I won the lottery that day – that I couldn’t have asked for a better life partner,” the former US President wrote in the caption.

Ms Michelle, meanwhile, marked their 30th anniversary by sharing side-by-side photos of the couple at the beach and on their wedding day. “Happy anniversary to the man I love! These last 30 years have been an adventure, and I’m grateful to have you by my side. Here’s to a lifetime together. I love you @BarackObama,” she wrote.