Dismal record on power to women, despite measures

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₹5 so that they could go to distant schools," says Devi. She also used to fix punctured bicycle tyres for ₹10. This is where she got the idea to open a puncture repair shop.

Today, the shop she set up in collaboration with her husband mends punctures of everything from bicycles to heavy vehicles. There aren’t many women in this job, traditionally a fiefdom of men. “All kinds of people must be coming to your shop.

Has anyone behaved inappropriately with you? How do you handle such situations," the anchor asked Devi. “I use a hammer to fix punctures and I always carry a hammer in my hand for such folks. They flee in terror," Devi replied with a giggle.

Is this adequate? Definitely not. India’s record on women has yet to live up to expectations. Atrocities against women are still in the news frequently.

Official statistics also disappoint. In such a setting, Manisha, Kamla, and women like them might show the way, but demands for further efforts from the society and the government are still strong. Last week, the Modi government generated new hope with the passage of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Bill’ in Parliament.

Two days ago, major opposition parties sought the same thing from the government. It is important to note that this has been attempted several times earlier in the last 27 years, but each time the ruling party’s poor numerical strength proved to be stronger than its goodwill. The question arises as to why this bill was introduced so close to the general elections.