05 November,2009 08:29 AM IST | | Kaumudi Gurjar and Debarati Palit
Neha Acharya (26), a BPO employee, carries pepper spray and a Swiss Army knife in her bag on her way to work. "My family does not have to worry constantly for my safety any more," she said.
Acharya is not alone.
Young women in the city are increasingly arming themselves with sprays and knives, and stores across the city are responding to the challenge by stocking up such products. Said Vishal Arora, manager, Dhorabjees, MG Road, "We have been stocking up on chilly and pepper sprays for the last couple of months because the demand for these products has increased."
An attendant from the Archie's store on Senapati Bapat Road, says, "Though, there have been inquires for sprays and Swiss Army knives from our women customers, we have not begun stocking these products yet."
Confirming the increase in the number of enquiries, Rana Singh, MD, Axe, global, said, "Sales of our pepper sprays have increased by 250 per cent since the Nayana Pujari murder. Over a dozen companies in Pune have expressed their desire to buy about 1,000 pepper sprays each."
Aastha Mehta (name changed), team leader in an IT company located at Dhole Patil Road, said, "Women should arm themselves while travelling alone."
It is not just employees. Companies have also become extra cautious about the security of their employees. Kunal Agashe, HR, Syntel said, "We have send emails to our female employees, requesting them to follow certain basic precautions."u00a0
