Letters-14: "Women's Day"

While there is a symbolism in observing a day every year as International Women’s Day, it risks the possibility of falling into a ceremonious mould and ending up as an annual ritual. It already seems to have become so in India. Leaders cutting across the political divide make grandiloquent but empty speeches to a selective and captive audience. The same political class has sabotaged the Women’s Reservation Bill on some pretext or the other for years. It is ironical that the most important and significant legislation that can go a long way in empowering women is removed from cold storage, debated upon and sent right back to the freezer, from one Lok Sabha to another. - Shahabuddin Nadeem, Bangalore

Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, March 15, 2008 (‘Letters to the Editor)
Grateful thanks to Mr Shahabuddin Nadeem and The Hindu.