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.

The Hidden Talent

My beautician friend suffers from nervous pangs when her clients on visit don't speak. She feels, they are unhappy and will go elsewhere next time! She cites one such example of a client who would come regularly to her for a facial treatment, but not utter a single word. This despite all the talking going about. Just nothing seemed to amuse her- neither the filmy gossip nor the general happenings. " May be she is just plain and simple dull!" snapped an employee. My friend was not convinced. And one day it happened. A newly married girl dropped by. She was in a foul mood for not getting some recipe right. Dropping in at the parlour was a kind of diversion. That's when the lady started speaking. She asked the girl how she had gone about with the recipe. After listening patiently, she offered her some rectifying methods. It came out that the lady was a great cook, with several award winning recipes to her credit.

I have experienced this in my teaching profession too. Those students who show off or talk a lot are disastrous in exams and seminars. It is often the quiet ones that take you by surprise.

They don't fill pages and pages but give you interesting examples. I remember one journalism student writing on Women's Reservation Bill- " If they had wanted, they would have passed it long ago. The fact is nobody wants it!". (It was regarding the 33% reservation for women in the parliament). A real sharp observation from a young boy! At another time a girl explained what 'Interpersonal Conflict' was, when asked about it in Human Communication paper. "It's when I write to my dad for money. And he replies, wait for next month". What a sweet interesting explanation in the midst of boring stereotyped answers.

Naturally students like these score more marks than others. How come the loud talkers show poor wit and presence of mind at such times? Probably, they burn themselves out proving others stupid!

It's the case of, 'Empty vessels make more noise'. Or perhaps, ' Silent waters run deep!'