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Women and reservation
Women's reservation has been the subject of constant debate in almost every possible forum all over India in the past decade. Though nothing much has materialised as far as the State assemblies and Parliament are concerned, there have been moves to implement one third reservation for panchayats, municipalities and corporations.
However, society does not seem to have gained much from introducing the system of reservation for women, in the sense that the so-called direct representatives of the weaker section, namely women, have not been able to contribute much for the upliftment of their kind. Things still stand where they stood before introducing the system.
Personally I feel that nothing much can be expected if reservation for women is implemented in the State assemblies and the Parliament, as in most cases, it is not the cream of the society that is represented but those who happened to be mere housewives the other day and who came to be chosen as a candidate to represent women just because she happened to be this or that political leader's wife. Women who choose politics as a profession or a service are still very few in number. Hence when it becomes impossible to find a woman candidate, political parties often resort to the above-said gamble. This often results in the best among the worst to be chosen, as the electorate have no other alternative.
The best way therefore seems to be the mode of the olden days. We have had numerous women leaders who have proven their mettle by brandishing swords or brushing shoulders with men. Most of them have been seen to be good administrators too. The one-third representatives of today are no match in comparison with those women whom countrymen still adore and look upon with admiration.
In conclusion, I would rather suggest a return to the good old days when a woman leader would emerge from among men. She would prove to be better than any man even without reservation of any sort.
Gouri Prasannan, XI
Thiruvananthapuram: Saraswathi Vidyalaya
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