came across this article in HT today. It is about single women. Made an interesting read. How things have changed....

Cherish Singledom

L IFE IS a celebration for us singles in the city — both the original singles and those who left the fold but are back again by choice or chance. In either case we are one strong growing tribe, making the most of life in the growing metropolis, Mumbai.

Times are changing. There has been a social evolution of sorts.

Babies nowadays respond readily to ring tones rather than rattles and the gentle leisure activity of school kids of making paper boats has now the distinguished designation of origamy. Thus, has emerged the modern Indian single woman with her pay packet that is her password to freedom.

Our group is often eyed with suspicion or expected to wallow in self pity. Is there an undisclosed element of envy too?

Single women come in myriad hues. Some choose to set rules for themselves and try to abide by them while others just take one day at a time.

It’s common to draw up contingency plans — lists of emergency contact numbers, provision for hospital admission and reliable friends who will check on rough and rainy days.

There is a charm about ringing the doorbell and letting oneself in with a loud ‘hello’, having a blar ing television set for company and setting the table for a nice little solo dinner. Of making one’s own plans of not having to apologise to anyone for working late.

It’s helpful to be realistic too — like being careful about supposedly friendly overtures, even as one delights in the gradually changing attitudes of Mumbaikars of nonchalantly accepting different lifestyles.

Going from a rental apartment the single woman is ready to purchase her own. And one in a great job is wonderfully equipped with car and chauffeur as well as retinue.

The independence of singledom grows on you. No tiring family chores, no upsets in one’s routine because someone else wishes otherwise.

However, it isn’t as if the single woman never thinks of changing her status. She sometimes contemplates life in a chummery or a hostel or wonders if she would like to hear wedding bells.

But while keeping ‘options unlimited’, she’s not likely to click any of them, given her chosen life of single in the city, a life she’s grown to love and to cherish.

If you are single and slugging it out in Mumbai, please send in your contributions to mumbailetters @hindustantimes.com