Mr. Patil vs. Mrs. Shekhawat

4

Watching the Republic Day parade is an annual ritual for most Indians. Sleepy middle-class families across India awaken to switch on their television sets, and a familiar, reassuring sight greets them. Lines and lines of soldiers marching in perfect unison. A symbol of the nation's pride, strength, and diversity. Only this year, there was one small, but vital difference. As each brightly caparisoned regiment moved inexorably forward, I was struck by another subtle symbolism. The soldiers, each and every man among them, must salute the President while marching past the podium. And the President acknowledges the honour and returns the salute. This year, the person returning the salute was a diminutive woman clad in a white sari. For some reason, the sight of Pratibha Patil standing at attention during the march-past brought home to me the fact, that for the first time in Indian history, the Supreme Commander....

How safe is my city?

15

Born and brought up in Mumbai, today, I have no answer to the sympathetic looks from my Delhi friends. Touted as 'Mumbai's shame', the molestation of two girls on New Years eve outside a five star hotel in Juhu, has led me to question my pride in the city of my birth. I always believed that Mumbai is safer for women than other Indian cities. When I took the decision to move to Delhi, friends, relatives, elders, all advised me to stay put. 'Delhi isn't like Mumbai, it's a lawless place', they said. But to them, and to the national media - of which I am now a part - I would like to pose a thought. Every time such an incident takes place, we begin to question if Bombay is no longer safe for women. But even I, a woman and resident of the city for 21 years, never....