Women. Power. And Women's Bill.

Women's Bill! Every time the topic comes up, I am reminded of what a male candidate had once written in the entrance exam to Mass Communication Course," If people had wanted, the Bill would have passed long ago. The fact is nobody wants it." This was said about 5-6 years ago! And you bet, I gave him marks lavishly and made sure that he got selected. For he made a statement that would prove true for all times to come.

And imagine this controversial Bill finally got passed in the Rajya Sabha! The happy and jubilant faces of Sonia Gandhi, Sushma Swaraj and others was a sight to behold. I felt happy too even if slightly unsure. Frankly if we have to go by words, we must indeed have 33% reservation for women judging from the fact that 50% of India's population is women. And rightly so, Arun Jaitley's remark that at the moment we only have 10% women representation in the parliament certainly makes us agree. But the catch lies there. What kind of Women Representation do we want? Will these new entries be as dignified, intelligent, honest, sincere and committed as Sonia Gandhi, Renuka Choudhary, Sushma Swaraj, Brinda Karat or say Shabana Azmi? Or are we going to end up having women leaders like Mayawati? Have our great leaders thought of the consequences? I know I have asked too many questions. But then I was not born yesterday. I have seen women creating homes and have also seen women breaking homes. That brings us to the fact, that India is a Home for we Indians. Naturally, we have have to think of what kind of daughter-in-law we want.

I am staying in Indore for the last 12-13 years. Indore is in Madhya Pradesh-a state that's quite backward as compared to Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, etc. I am also reminded of an interesting incident where one our peons in the university was happy that his mother had won the Village Panchayat Elections. This meant that power would eventually come to the male members of the family. I had been left speechless then just as I have been left speechless now! For it certainly means out of the frying pan into the fire!

Mind you, Power is intoxicating. And power in the wrong hands could spell doom. Instead, let's start slowly. Let's make literacy compulsory up to 12th standard in villages particularly. And also make sure that the contestant's form is filled by the woman herself.

India needs women leaders like Kiran Bedi who stopped the vulgar Holi that was being played in Delhi way back in the 70's and 80's. We want women leaders who will do something for the safety of women and work towards the upliftment of the country. I am not amused by numbers. I would any time trust a man like Pranab Mukherji and other such dignified leaders than go in for Mayawati, Rabri Devi and others.

Indore Municipal Corporation Elections- 11Dec. 2009

Yet again, elections are round the corner! The city is well charged. People of Indore will be voting for Mayor and Corporator on Friday, 11 Dec.2009.

Indore bears a festive look these days with processions, loudspeakers, songs and drum- beatings taking a preceding. Whatever! It does liven up the spirits and I feel happy. And so do others I feel. Indore. A city of Festivals. Nay! A city of marriages. If I may say so. For be it rich or poor, marriages take place in an elaborate manner here. But let me come back to the point. Just the other day, while returning from work late in the evening I noticed a lady contestant, with shimmering red 'chunni' over her head, going from door to door asking for votes. At the first glance she did appear a bride to me.

Be it BJP, Congress or the independents, I know everybody's agenda by heart now. "Plenty of water... Cemented paths... Good roads...Development of the city and blah, blah, blah! And that's when my mind shifts to the big challenge we are facing now-Climate Change. But then, I feel sorry for the political parties. I know they have to talk of "plenty of water" to the down-trodden and the ordinary folks, for they are the ones who nurture huge expectations. And, they don't understand environment problems. Besides, they are the ones who vote for sure. So, that's that.

The other day, I told my maid to close the tap when not washing the utensils. An everyday refrain, frankly speaking! She probably had it enough for she spat out," Here you tell me to close the tap, and several times during the day I notice one or the other overhead tank overflowing."(meaning me I know). "I will tell Chowkidar Bhaiya (watchman) to check the tanks more often." I murmur. If only all residents of our colony were careful, the supply would remain in limits. I mutter to myself.

Talking about 'Cemented roads'. My mind races back to what happened a month ago. It was one of those lazy Sunday afternoons. While I and the rest of the residents of our society, were merrily enjoying the afternoon siesta, my husband noticed a group of 3-4 men all armed to dig a big hole in the newly cemented path right outside our Complex. They wanted to insert a pole for a small community function they were organizing there. And that called for a canopy. That was when I was rudely shaken up by my husband's shouting, who also immediately went down to give them a piece of mind. But that makes me think, how long will our cemented path survive?


I belong to the breed of 'Common Man' and I am helpless. But I wish to draw the attention of all politicians to the stray animals- namely cows, dogs, pigs that cause a lot of inconvenience while driving on the roads. I wish something would be done on this regard.