This piece hits the mark. We are witnessing liberation of more than 1/2 of India’s population. This has revolutionary consequences not just for India, but the entire Subcontinent, then extending into West Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and beyond for, when India rises, they all rise). And too, this is happening organically, from within, and not at the behest of any external power. What was once considered the province of Western governments and NGOs to thrust upon India as part of governance control agendas is now India’s own agenda, making outsiders irrelevant.
Why do I bring up external forces? Because, in many ways, India’s social deficiencies, and prior inability to deal with them effectively, have historically constituted vulnerabilities for India’s autonomy, and, by extension, national security. What today’s Indians are doing is enacting the second chapter of self-determination (the first one being the freedom struggle). When women rise, a society rises to great power status, both materially and spiritually. Vivekananda remarked, “India discovered God, Europe discovered man, America discovered woman”. The last bit forged the American Century in the 20th Century. The rise of Indian women will make this century the Indian Century and the Global South Century. Mark it!
Thank you for covering yet another critical facet of India’s unfolding 21st Century story.
Thank you for your kind words and brilliant exposition.
You are spot on. India is solving for a lot of legacy risks. But, none as outstanding as the empowerment of women--key to India realising its potential.
Hello Anil:
This piece hits the mark. We are witnessing liberation of more than 1/2 of India’s population. This has revolutionary consequences not just for India, but the entire Subcontinent, then extending into West Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and beyond for, when India rises, they all rise). And too, this is happening organically, from within, and not at the behest of any external power. What was once considered the province of Western governments and NGOs to thrust upon India as part of governance control agendas is now India’s own agenda, making outsiders irrelevant.
Why do I bring up external forces? Because, in many ways, India’s social deficiencies, and prior inability to deal with them effectively, have historically constituted vulnerabilities for India’s autonomy, and, by extension, national security. What today’s Indians are doing is enacting the second chapter of self-determination (the first one being the freedom struggle). When women rise, a society rises to great power status, both materially and spiritually. Vivekananda remarked, “India discovered God, Europe discovered man, America discovered woman”. The last bit forged the American Century in the 20th Century. The rise of Indian women will make this century the Indian Century and the Global South Century. Mark it!
Thank you for covering yet another critical facet of India’s unfolding 21st Century story.
Shiv
Dear Shiv,
Thank you for your kind words and brilliant exposition.
You are spot on. India is solving for a lot of legacy risks. But, none as outstanding as the empowerment of women--key to India realising its potential.
Look forward to your continued participation.
Best
Anil
Loved the piece. Touching to read about the transformative stories of women in rural India.
I am confident, we are poised to change as a nation.
Dear Debu,
Thank you for your kind words. Much appreciated.
Agree with you. This makeover is an idea whose time has come.
Best
Anil