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‘Stalked, trapped in rural India’: UK woman alleges harassment in Odisha, records video
Speaking to Hindustantimes.com, a British vlogger alleged a man stalked her in Odisha and only backed off after a video call trick.
A British content creator travelling through India was allegedly stalked while jogging in Odisha. The solo traveller, who goes by Amy On The Move online, shared a video capturing a man following her in Bhadrak. Speaking with Hindustantimes.com, she alleged that the man only backed away because she made it obvious she was on a video call. She noted that the unsettling ordeal forced her to abandon a planned solo cycling trip across the country.
“I’m from the United Kingdom. I have spent the last 4 years travelling Asia, Africa and Latin America as a digital nomad,” Amy told Hindustantimes.com. She continued, “I'm a video editor for some content creators. I also make my own travel content.”
She had been exploring India for the past two weeks, and the alleged incident occurred while she was visiting Odisha. “I came here planning to cycle from Kolkata down to Kerala, then up the west coast. I thought it would be amazing to see rural India. Now I don't feel it is safe enough to do that alone.”
When asked if she approached the authorities, the content creator alleged, “No. They won't do anything. I regularly see people throwing trash on the ground instead of in bins, sometimes in front of police officers, and the police do nothing. If they are too lazy to stop people littering, why would they care about this?”
She further alleged, “I think the only reason the man left in the end, is because I made it obvious I was on a video call to a friend and she had a screenshot of him. If I didn't have my phone, I think he would have attacked me. I was completely isolated.”
Vlogger shuts down trolls
Her video showing a man on a bicycle allegedly following her prompted a range of responses, including some criticising her and her dress. Shutting the trolls, Amy said, “I'm disappointed by comments saying I was at fault or dressing wrong. I was wearing a sports bra, like every runner wears in 90% humidity. Men are delusional if they think sports bras are inappropriate for running. That is literally what they are made for. If men have a problem with sports bras, they need to go to therapy.”
Though the incident left her shaken, she noted that her trip to India wasn't entirely negative. She fondly recalled her time in Bengaluru, highlighting how helpful and welcoming the locals were.
Amy told Hindustantimes.com, “I was in Bangalore earlier this year and it was decent. There was some nightlife, good food, and it felt relatively safe. After this incident, I received hundreds of messages, especially from people in South India telling me to go there where it is safe.”
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She continued, “Unfortunately, my experience in North India has been terrible. People throw trash in the streets and the cops do nothing. Men pull their di**s out and pee on the street. Men ask for selfies with me then run away without saying thanks or having any conversation. It is so weird. I have been to 24 countries and never experienced such poor behavior from men like this.”
The content creator added, “I am impressed by how many people from South India offered to show me around and said I would be welcome there.”
