Happy Women's day-2

Friends

I wanted to share an epochal event taking place in India. May be this forum is not entirely appropriate place to discuss something political but there is a remote connection. Besides I wanted to put this very important event to the notice of friends abroad where news concerning India is generally given a miniscule address.

Today, after 14 years of dithering, at least ten false starts in Parliament and umpteenth maneuvers 'Woman Reservation bill' is slated to be adopted as low in this country. Both the houses are primed to see the passage of the bill. The 108^th (auspicious number!) amendment of Indian Constitution will force minimum 33% representation in all elected forums across the country. Just see the few implications-Upcoming elections in Tamilnadu and W.Bengal will see no less then 78 and 98 women MLAs. Loksabha will have at least 181 women MPs from the present 59.

Of course initially we may see many representatives who would be merely puppets in the hands of their male relatives but gradually we will see true representation and hence this can be a step in right direction. Why is this representation so important? There is no direct explanation but it is observed that quality of governance improves in direct proportion to the women representation .For instance Scandinavian countries ,where traditionally women are elected in large numbers, are the best democracies in the world. And this can be one of the most important steps towards the strengthening of Indian Democracy. In a hugely uneducated society such as India the appearance of many women rulers do influence the mind set of mass up to an extent.

Reservation per se is a word anathema to me. It scuttles the quality and engenders partiality. I would more happily see the elections of women on their own capacities and strength. But this requires education of girls at grass root level and here the 'result' may help create the 'remedy'. So this reservation is appropriate and necessary in our society.

Then we may see the disappearance of uneducated Archanas and illiterate Savitas.

Friends,

The passage of the bill is again hindered.

'The Woman quota bill' plot is proving more sensational then our wildest daily soap, in the process it is churning out more twists and turns then our imaginative script writes can dish out!

Rajyasabha is adjourned!

Under the head line 'These men win battle', Times of India had front page photograph of that incorrigible Yadav duo raising their hands in solidarity and victory cry.

1. Mulayam Singh Yadav- Exact copy of Gollum.

2. Lalu Prasad Yadav-Exact copy of Lallu Yadav the abomination

Thanks Tanyadi for sharing my happiness. This bill has given us much frustration and disappointment in the past when sexiest and castiest politics had stalled it for quite sometime. Today we are a step forward, no matter how strongly the skeptics reject it for its direct usefulness. Now we are awaiting the final maneuvers in Loksabha with bated breath.

P.S. Today when Sonia Gandhi met Lalu Prasad Yadav (her old friend but staunch opponent to this bill), She told in light vein, "Laluji, You should support this bill as a father of seven daughters!"

@ commentator

Thanks for posting such informative and relevant article. It was surprising to know that such countries who are not considered so open have already implemented this useful tool. Though politics are well discussed in some other sites and blogs, I found posting this immensely important topic some what relevant here.

Any kind of quota, for that matter, is contentious. But this quota is surely useful. How the enhanced women participation is catalyzing all those improvements, cited in that article, is not clear to me but one direct result is self evident-the better education and empowerment of the women. (Especially so in the case of 'global south' the undeveloped or semi developed nations.) This is a very important factor in creation of a healthy society as Women as mothers or life partner are single most important influence in development of a wholesome individual.

Soutik must be happy to know about the catching up process-more relevant in this case as Legislators are more relevant here.( I didn't know about the neighbours!)