The Artificial Intelligence-driven upskilling is leading to a steady increase in women's participation across India's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) ecosystem, a latest report by EY India said. Generative AI and technology-enabled skilling are emerging as significant catalysts for expanding women's participation in STEM careers in India. STEM-related upskilling has witnessed rapid adoption among women, supported by increased digital access, flexible learning pathways, and rising demand for future-focused skills, the report said. As per the data released by EY India in a report titled 'Breaking the code: The rise of women in India's STEM landscape', women's participation in STEM upskilling increased from 22 per cent in 2018-19 to 33% in 2023, reflecting a sustained shift in career aspirations and preparedness for high-growth technology roles. This momentum has been further accelerated by the rise of generative AI, with GenAI course enrolments surging 195% year-on-year in 2025. Meanwhile, companies are also signalling a positive trend. 62% of employers reported hiring more women in STEM roles in fiscal year 23-2024. Despite strong graduation rates and growing enthusiasm for technical upskilling, women remain underrepresented across several STEM-intensive sectors. In technology and IT, women account for 36% of STEM jobs, demonstrating comparatively stronger representation but still below parity. Representation drops significantly in heavy manufacturing and engineering, where women make up only 3% of the STEM workforce. In India's rapidly expanding electric mobility space, women hold approximately 13% of roles in the EV/automotive sector. At a macro level, national employment patterns also shape STEM outcomes. India's labour force participation rate for women rose to 41.7% in 2023-24. To fully harness the potential of women in STEM, the report calls for a comprehensive approach that expands inclusive education, strengthens mentorship and career support, and highlights women's achievements to inspire future talent.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In India's rapidly expanding electric mobility space, women hold approximately 13% of roles in the EV/automotive sector. At a macro level, national employment patterns also shape STEM outcomes. India's labour force participation rate for women rose to 41.7% in 2023-24.

The Artificial Intelligence-driven upskilling is leading to a steady increase in women's participation across India's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) ecosystem, a latest report by EY India said. Generative AI and technology-enabled skilling are emerging as significant catalysts for expanding women's participation in STEM careers in India. STEM-related upskilling has witnessed rapid adoption among women, supported by increased digital access, flexible learning pathways, and rising demand for future-focused skills, the report said. As per the data released by EY India in a report titled 'Breaking the code: The rise of women in India's STEM landscape', women's participation in STEM upskilling increased from 22 per cent in 2018-19 to 33% in 2023, reflecting a sustained shift in career aspirations and preparedness for high-growth technology roles. This momentum has been further accelerated by the rise of generative AI, with GenAI course enrolments surging 195% year-on-year in 2025. Meanwhile, companies are also signalling a positive trend. 62% of employers reported hiring more women in STEM roles in fiscal year 23-2024. Despite strong graduation rates and growing enthusiasm for technical upskilling, women remain underrepresented across several STEM-intensive sectors. In technology and IT, women account for 36% of STEM jobs, demonstrating comparatively stronger representation but still below parity. Representation drops significantly in heavy manufacturing and engineering, where women make up only 3% of the STEM workforce. In India's rapidly expanding electric mobility space, women hold approximately 13% of roles in the EV/automotive sector. At a macro level, national employment patterns also shape STEM outcomes. India's labour force participation rate for women rose to 41.7% in 2023-24. To fully harness the potential of women in STEM, the report calls for a comprehensive approach that expands inclusive education, strengthens mentorship and career support, and highlights women's achievements to inspire future talent. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

In India's rapidly expanding electric mobility space, women hold approximately 13% of roles in the EV/automotive sector. At a macro level, national employment patterns also shape STEM outcomes. India's labour force participation rate for women rose to 41.7% in 2023-24.

GenAI fuels surge in women entering India’s STEM ecosystem, EY report says

Nearly 10 per cent of women in India own cryptocurrency, which ranks third among all countries, according to a study. Data from the foreign exchange education portal Forex Suggest reveals that there are 63 million female cryptocurrency owners in India, accounting for 9.2 per cent of the female population of around 685 million.

Nearly 10 per cent of Indian women own crypto currency

In a shocking development, two Indian women have been held at Suvarnabhumi airport in Thailand on Monday when the law enforcement officials found 109 live wild animals in their baggage, said the Department of National Parks in a press release. These women, who were going to board a flight to India, have been accused of smuggling animals. The incident came to light when some suspicious objects were discovered by the airport officials in the X-ray of the two suitcases of the women, said Sathon Khong-ngern, chief, wildlife checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi airport. In the bags, two armadillos, two white porcupines, 50 lizards, 35 turtles and 20 snakes were found, according to the release. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hundreds-of-dead-little-blue-penguins-wash-ashore-in-new-zealand-find-out-why-489113" hreflang="en">Hundreds of dead little blue penguins wash ashore in New Zealand. Find out why</a>

The two Indian women have been identified as 38-year-old Nithya Raja and 24-year-old Zakia Sulthana Ebrahim, as per the Bangkok Post. They were scheduled to fly on a Thai Airways flight to Chennai airport in India. &nbsp;

The accused women have been detained and charged with violating the Animal Disease Act of 2015, the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2019 and the Customs Act of 2017. These women have also been handed over to the Suvarnabhumi airport police station by the wildlife officials for further legal action.&nbsp; &nbsp;

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In a shocking development, two Indian women have been held at Suvarnabhumi airport in Thailand on Monday when the law enforcement officials found 109 live wild animals in their baggage, said the Department of National Parks in a press release.

In a shocking development, two Indian women have been held at Suvarnabhumi airport in Thailand on Monday when the law enforcement officials found 109 live wild animals in their baggage, said the Department of National Parks in a press release. These women, who were going to board a flight to India, have been accused of smuggling animals. The incident came to light when some suspicious objects were discovered by the airport officials in the X-ray of the two suitcases of the women, said Sathon Khong-ngern, chief, wildlife checkpoint at Suvarnabhumi airport. In the bags, two armadillos, two white porcupines, 50 lizards, 35 turtles and 20 snakes were found, according to the release. Also Read: Hundreds of dead little blue penguins wash ashore in New Zealand. Find out why The two Indian women have been identified as 38-year-old Nithya Raja and 24-year-old Zakia Sulthana Ebrahim, as per the Bangkok Post. They were scheduled to fly on a Thai Airways flight to Chennai airport in India. The accused women have been detained and charged with violating the Animal Disease Act of 2015, the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2019 and the Customs Act of 2017. These women have also been handed over to the Suvarnabhumi airport police station by the wildlife officials for further legal action. Watch WION's live TV here: (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Two Indian women held after Thai airport officials find 109 live wild animals in luggage during X-ray

A horrible question paper prepared by India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for class 10 students has been doing the rounds

A passage stands out from the rest. It says: "What people were slow to observe was that the emancipation of the wife destroyed the parent's authority over children. The mother did not exemplify the obedience upon which she still tried to insist in bringing the man down from his pedestal. The wife and the mother deprived herself, in fact of the means of discipline.”

This is what children have been learning that independent women cannot be good parents and that the mother must "obey" the father.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: CBSE's misogynistic question paper triggers backlash

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-cbses-misogynistic-question-paper-triggers-backlash-436697/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The view is based on regression and misogyny. India's opposition parties raised the issue in the Parliament and asked the ministry of education to withdraw the question immediately.

The government has decided to withdraw the question which means all students will get full marks for the passage. It has also been referred to a committee of experts.

The government will have to answer several questions including who drafted the tests and were top academicians, teachers and professors ok with the tests and whether they only focussed on the language.

After all, education isn't just about technical knowledge and grammar or words. It is about how those words are used and that is where the message is important.

Indian textbooks have consistently stereotyped women. They are constantly shown as caregivers or homemakers while men are depicted as soldiers and police officers. As a society, Indians need to move away from these notions.

Children cannot be allowed to keep learning a toxic and patriarchal past.

The need of the hour is to constitute a diverse committee to review textbooks or set higher standards for teachers without any compromise because the education system has a big responsibility to create the next generation of citizens and how they turn out depends on what they are taught.

A horrible question paper prepared by India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for class 10 students has been doing the rounds A passage stands out from the rest.

A horrible question paper prepared by India's Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for class 10 students has been doing the rounds A passage stands out from the rest. It says: "What people were slow to observe was that the emancipation of the wife destroyed the parent's authority over children. The mother did not exemplify the obedience upon which she still tried to insist in bringing the man down from his pedestal. The wife and the mother deprived herself, in fact of the means of discipline.” This is what children have been learning that independent women cannot be good parents and that the mother must "obey" the father. Watch | Gravitas: CBSE's misogynistic question paper triggers backlash The view is based on regression and misogyny. India's opposition parties raised the issue in the Parliament and asked the ministry of education to withdraw the question immediately. The government has decided to withdraw the question which means all students will get full marks for the passage. It has also been referred to a committee of experts. The government will have to answer several questions including who drafted the tests and were top academicians, teachers and professors ok with the tests and whether they only focussed on the language. After all, education isn't just about technical knowledge and grammar or words. It is about how those words are used and that is where the message is important. Indian textbooks have consistently stereotyped women. They are constantly shown as caregivers or homemakers while men are depicted as soldiers and police officers. As a society, Indians need to move away from these notions. Children cannot be allowed to keep learning a toxic and patriarchal past. The need of the hour is to constitute a diverse committee to review textbooks or set higher standards for teachers without any compromise because the education system has a big responsibility to create the next generation of citizens and how they turn out depends on what they are taught.

Indian school board under fire for misogynistic test paper

Indian shooters claimed the gold medal in the women's skeet team event and the bronze in the men's team finals of the ISSF Junior World Championship here.

The trio of Areeba Khan, Raiza Dhillon and Ganemat Sekhon finished at the top of the podium in the women's event after shooting an aggregate score of 6.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jr-world-championship-indias-ganemat-sekhon-wins-silver-in-womens-skeet-417455">Jr World Championship: India's Ganemat Sekhon wins silver in women's skeet</a>

In the gold medal round on Friday, the Indian women were pitted against the Italian team of Damiana Paolacci, Sara Bongini and Giada Longhi.

In the men's section, the Indian team of Rajveer Gill, Ayush Rudraraju and Abhay Singh Sekhon won the bronze medal after prevailing over Turkey's Ali Can Arabaci, Ahmet Baran and Muhammet Seyhun Kaya 6-0, the same's scoreline as the women's gold medal contest.

A day earlier, rising Indian woman skeet shooter Sekhon had won the silver medal in the tournament's individual women's skeet competition.

The Chandigarh shooter, who picked up her first senior ISSF World Cup stage medals in New Delhi earlier this year, went down in a shoot-off to American Alisha Fayth Layne, after both were tied on 46 hits in the 60-shot final.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hockey-india-name-30-member-group-for-senior-mens-national-camp-417569">Hockey India name 30-member group for senior men's national camp</a>

In the men's individual skeet none of the three Indians in the fray -- Rajveer Gill, Abhay Singh Sekhon and Ayush Rudraraju -- could make it to the six-man finals but they shone in the team event.

India are currently place second in the pecking order with two gold, three silver and two bronze for a total of seven medals in the tournament. 
The USA tops the chart with seven medals including three gold. 
This is the first multi-discipline shooting event since the Tokyo Olympics, with as many as 32 nations and nearly 370 athletes participating in the championship.

Indian shooters claimed the gold medal in the women's skeet team event and the bronze in the men's team finals of the ISSF Junior World Championship here. The trio of Areeba Khan, Raiza Dhillon and Ganemat Sekhon finished at the top of the podium in the women's event after shooting an aggregate score of 6.

Indian shooters claimed the gold medal in the women's skeet team event and the bronze in the men's team finals of the ISSF Junior World Championship here. The trio of Areeba Khan, Raiza Dhillon and Ganemat Sekhon finished at the top of the podium in the women's event after shooting an aggregate score of 6. Also Read: Jr World Championship: India's Ganemat Sekhon wins silver in women's skeet In the gold medal round on Friday, the Indian women were pitted against the Italian team of Damiana Paolacci, Sara Bongini and Giada Longhi. In the men's section, the Indian team of Rajveer Gill, Ayush Rudraraju and Abhay Singh Sekhon won the bronze medal after prevailing over Turkey's Ali Can Arabaci, Ahmet Baran and Muhammet Seyhun Kaya 6-0, the same's scoreline as the women's gold medal contest. A day earlier, rising Indian woman skeet shooter Sekhon had won the silver medal in the tournament's individual women's skeet competition. The Chandigarh shooter, who picked up her first senior ISSF World Cup stage medals in New Delhi earlier this year, went down in a shoot-off to American Alisha Fayth Layne, after both were tied on 46 hits in the 60-shot final. Also Read: Hockey India name 30-member group for senior men's national camp In the men's individual skeet none of the three Indians in the fray -- Rajveer Gill, Abhay Singh Sekhon and Ayush Rudraraju -- could make it to the six-man finals but they shone in the team event. India are currently place second in the pecking order with two gold, three silver and two bronze for a total of seven medals in the tournament. The USA tops the chart with seven medals including three gold. This is the first multi-discipline shooting event since the Tokyo Olympics, with as many as 32 nations and nearly 370 athletes participating in the championship.

ISSF Junior World Championship: Indian women's team wins gold in skeet, men's team bags bronze

Nine out of 10 women in India had less food, impacting their nutrition levels, during the 2020 nationwide lockdown imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.

Researchers from the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition, analysed surveys of food expenditures, dietary diversity and other nutrition indicators at the national, state and district levels in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha.

Nearly 90 per cent of survey respondents reported having less food, while 95 per cent said they consumed fewer types of food.

Most concerningly, the drop was due to decreased consumption of foods like meats, eggs, vegetables and fruits, which are rich in micronutrients that are crucial to good health and development.

The study, published in the journal Economia Politica, indicated a decline in household food expenditures and women`s dietary diversity in May 2020 compared to May 2019.

"Women`s diets were lacking in diverse foods even before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has further exacerbated the situation," said Soumya Gupta, a research economist at TCI.

"Any policies addressing the impact of the pandemic on nutritional outcomes must do so through a gendered lens that reflects the specific, and often persistent, vulnerabilities faced by women," she added.

The national lockdown to slow down the spread of Covid was in force from March 24 to May 30, 2020.

Disruptions to agricultural supply chains subsequently led to price fluctuations, especially for non-staple foods, in less developed districts.

The surveys also suggest a decrease in the quantity and quality of nutritious foods consumed by women during the pandemic. For example, some women said that during the lockdown they halved the amount of dal, or red lentils, that they prepared, or that they prepared thinner dals.

The unequal burden on women was also caused in part due to the closure of India`s aanganwadi centers during the lockdown, affecting 72 per cent of households, the researchers said.

The centers, which provide take-home rations and hot cooked meals to nursing and expecting mothers, are an important source of nutrition for women and children.

"Due to the spillover effects of maternal malnutrition, that risk poses a threat not only to women`s productivity and well-being, but also that of their children," Gupta noted.

Nine out of 10 women in India had less food, impacting their nutrition levels, during the 2020 nationwide lockdown imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study.

Nine out of 10 women in India had less food, impacting their nutrition levels, during the 2020 nationwide lockdown imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. Researchers from the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition, analysed surveys of food expenditures, dietary diversity and other nutrition indicators at the national, state and district levels in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Odisha. Nearly 90 per cent of survey respondents reported having less food, while 95 per cent said they consumed fewer types of food. Most concerningly, the drop was due to decreased consumption of foods like meats, eggs, vegetables and fruits, which are rich in micronutrients that are crucial to good health and development. The study, published in the journal Economia Politica, indicated a decline in household food expenditures and women`s dietary diversity in May 2020 compared to May 2019. "Women`s diets were lacking in diverse foods even before the pandemic, but COVID-19 has further exacerbated the situation," said Soumya Gupta, a research economist at TCI. "Any policies addressing the impact of the pandemic on nutritional outcomes must do so through a gendered lens that reflects the specific, and often persistent, vulnerabilities faced by women," she added. The national lockdown to slow down the spread of Covid was in force from March 24 to May 30, 2020. Disruptions to agricultural supply chains subsequently led to price fluctuations, especially for non-staple foods, in less developed districts. The surveys also suggest a decrease in the quantity and quality of nutritious foods consumed by women during the pandemic. For example, some women said that during the lockdown they halved the amount of dal, or red lentils, that they prepared, or that they prepared thinner dals. The unequal burden on women was also caused in part due to the closure of India`s aanganwadi centers during the lockdown, affecting 72 per cent of households, the researchers said. The centers, which provide take-home rations and hot cooked meals to nursing and expecting mothers, are an important source of nutrition for women and children. "Due to the spillover effects of maternal malnutrition, that risk poses a threat not only to women`s productivity and well-being, but also that of their children," Gupta noted.

90% Indian women ate less during COVID-19 lockdown: Study

PM Modi on Sunday marked International Women’s Day by handing over control of his social media accounts to seven women achievers who spoke about the issues and causes related to society. Meet with those 7 women

Meet women achievers who handled PM Modi's Twitter account

What happens when an Indian woman wins what is called the 'Oscar of the culinary world'? It sure is an achievement on a world scale, but I see more to Mumbai-bred Garima Arora's restaurant, Gaa, winning a prestigious Michelin star this month than a new honour. I see her winning the accolade as a symbolic moment for the rise of a new India going beyond some conventional thinking rooted in its colonial past.

To understand that, we have to take a look first at what may be the high points in the renaissance of India through the 20th century and a little beyond. We had Sir CV Raman and Rabindranath Tagore winning the Nobel Prize for physics and literature before Independence in 1947. We had Neecha Nagar winning the Golden Palm (Palme D'Or) at the Cannes festival in France in 1947. India won the World Cup in cricket in 1983, a dozen years after beating England, the colonial masters, at their own game on their own soil. Bangalore-based Infosys listed on the Nasdaq in 1999, symbolising India as an economic and technological power. We had the Tata Group acquire Jaguar Land Rover in 2008, making a luxury British brand Indian in ownership. We had Bhanu Athaiya winning an Oscar for costume design in 1983 and AR Rahman winning one for music in 2009. Film-maker Satyajit Ray also won a lifetime achievement Oscar.

But look hard, and you will find that these accolades involved recognition in France, Sweden, the UK or the US in some way or the other, and to that extent, it was all about making a mark in the West. If you add spiritual gurus like Deepak Chopra, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Osho Rajneesh, the list of Indian achievements in the West gets longer.

Even in culinary arts, Garima Arora is not the first Indian to get a big honour. We have had seven Indian chefs winning Michelin stars in the past including Vikas Khanna in New York and an array of Indians in London including Atul Kocchar and Vineet Bhatia. Manjunath Mural has won it in Singapore. But, like winning in cricket, it proves one point but misses a bigger one.

I find it refreshing that 32-year-old Garima Arora, apart from being the first woman to join the list, has her restaurant located in Bangkok, which is outside of former British colonies. In that sense, the journalist-turned-chef represents culturally the rise of India's 'Look East, Act East' foreign policy that the Narendra Modi government ushered in after coming to power in 2014.&nbsp;

Garima's achievement as a restauranteur is in the same league as India winning Olympic medals in sports. It is true India has a few Olympic medals in the bag, and it is particularly noteworthy that boxing, wrestling and weightlifting medals have joined relatively elite sports like shooting, badminton and tennis in the list of medal-winning sports. However, a nation of one billion people has a much long way to go.&nbsp;

Garima's success raises work in the kitchen to a higher social status in a nation notorious for a caste system in which some achievements are not considered achievement enough. It breaks an elitist mould, much like an Olympic medal in wrestling.

When we describe culinary art/science as "cooking" it reduces its true worth. There is more to sport than cricket and there is more to culinary work than pottering around in the kitchen. Garima's influences, like the music composed by AR Rahman, are eclectic, with an Indian sensibility matching global impact. Arora says she "learned that cooking itself was a cerebral and mentally stimulating experience rather than just a physical job."

For too long, India has been looking at the West, ignoring the fact that both within India and in continents including Latin America and Africa, there are footprints that need to be planted. Indian entrepreneurs in Africa have been a dubious lot as many of them have fallen foul of local people. In South America, there are Sikh farmers in Argentina and Ecuador and there are Indian executives working in multinationals, but we have barely scratched the surface.

A country cannot end colonialism in the psychological sense of the term until it sheds what I call the Colonialism Paradox: the business of winning approval within the same universe defined by erstwhile colonial masters or their extended fraternity.

If you look hard, Hotel Saravana Bhavan, the popular Chennai eatery, is now a multinational present in 21 countries, with Kuwait becoming the 21st last weekend. Haldirams also has a comparable global presence, but more in terms of snacks exported.&nbsp;

Yet, we do not discuss Saravana Bhavan or Haldirams in the same the way we discuss a Starbucks or a McDonald's. Maybe a day will come when private equity investors will take these companies public and make it truly global in a corporate sense. But it is equally true that it is important to psychologically realign India so that it turns truly global in outlook instead of West-centric. Picture a day when Garima's Gaa opens in Buenos Aires, or a day when Saravana Bhavan lists on a global stock exchange after opening branches in Brazil or Angola.

Garima Arora's honour would hopefully make young Indians sit up and notice that there is a big world out there to charm and conquer.&nbsp;

(This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the <a href="http://zeenews.india.com/blogs/why-garima-arora-as-a-michelin-star-chef-symbolises-the-rise-of-a-new-india-2157308.html">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

What happens when an Indian woman wins what is called the 'Oscar of the culinary world'? It sure is an achievement on a world scale, but I see more to Mumbai-bred Garima Arora's restaurant, Gaa, winning a prestigious Michelin star this month than a new honour.

What happens when an Indian woman wins what is called the 'Oscar of the culinary world'? It sure is an achievement on a world scale, but I see more to Mumbai-bred Garima Arora's restaurant, Gaa, winning a prestigious Michelin star this month than a new honour. I see her winning the accolade as a symbolic moment for the rise of a new India going beyond some conventional thinking rooted in its colonial past. To understand that, we have to take a look first at what may be the high points in the renaissance of India through the 20th century and a little beyond. We had Sir CV Raman and Rabindranath Tagore winning the Nobel Prize for physics and literature before Independence in 1947. We had Neecha Nagar winning the Golden Palm (Palme D'Or) at the Cannes festival in France in 1947. India won the World Cup in cricket in 1983, a dozen years after beating England, the colonial masters, at their own game on their own soil. Bangalore-based Infosys listed on the Nasdaq in 1999, symbolising India as an economic and technological power. We had the Tata Group acquire Jaguar Land Rover in 2008, making a luxury British brand Indian in ownership. We had Bhanu Athaiya winning an Oscar for costume design in 1983 and AR Rahman winning one for music in 2009. Film-maker Satyajit Ray also won a lifetime achievement Oscar. But look hard, and you will find that these accolades involved recognition in France, Sweden, the UK or the US in some way or the other, and to that extent, it was all about making a mark in the West. If you add spiritual gurus like Deepak Chopra, Paramahamsa Yogananda, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and Osho Rajneesh, the list of Indian achievements in the West gets longer. Even in culinary arts, Garima Arora is not the first Indian to get a big honour. We have had seven Indian chefs winning Michelin stars in the past including Vikas Khanna in New York and an array of Indians in London including Atul Kocchar and Vineet Bhatia. Manjunath Mural has won it in Singapore. But, like winning in cricket, it proves one point but misses a bigger one. I find it refreshing that 32-year-old Garima Arora, apart from being the first woman to join the list, has her restaurant located in Bangkok, which is outside of former British colonies. In that sense, the journalist-turned-chef represents culturally the rise of India's 'Look East, Act East' foreign policy that the Narendra Modi government ushered in after coming to power in 2014. Garima's achievement as a restauranteur is in the same league as India winning Olympic medals in sports. It is true India has a few Olympic medals in the bag, and it is particularly noteworthy that boxing, wrestling and weightlifting medals have joined relatively elite sports like shooting, badminton and tennis in the list of medal-winning sports. However, a nation of one billion people has a much long way to go. Garima's success raises work in the kitchen to a higher social status in a nation notorious for a caste system in which some achievements are not considered achievement enough. It breaks an elitist mould, much like an Olympic medal in wrestling. When we describe culinary art/science as "cooking" it reduces its true worth. There is more to sport than cricket and there is more to culinary work than pottering around in the kitchen. Garima's influences, like the music composed by AR Rahman, are eclectic, with an Indian sensibility matching global impact. Arora says she "learned that cooking itself was a cerebral and mentally stimulating experience rather than just a physical job." For too long, India has been looking at the West, ignoring the fact that both within India and in continents including Latin America and Africa, there are footprints that need to be planted. Indian entrepreneurs in Africa have been a dubious lot as many of them have fallen foul of local people. In South America, there are Sikh farmers in Argentina and Ecuador and there are Indian executives working in multinationals, but we have barely scratched the surface. A country cannot end colonialism in the psychological sense of the term until it sheds what I call the Colonialism Paradox: the business of winning approval within the same universe defined by erstwhile colonial masters or their extended fraternity. If you look hard, Hotel Saravana Bhavan, the popular Chennai eatery, is now a multinational present in 21 countries, with Kuwait becoming the 21st last weekend. Haldirams also has a comparable global presence, but more in terms of snacks exported. Yet, we do not discuss Saravana Bhavan or Haldirams in the same the way we discuss a Starbucks or a McDonald's. Maybe a day will come when private equity investors will take these companies public and make it truly global in a corporate sense. But it is equally true that it is important to psychologically realign India so that it turns truly global in outlook instead of West-centric. Picture a day when Garima's Gaa opens in Buenos Aires, or a day when Saravana Bhavan lists on a global stock exchange after opening branches in Brazil or Angola. Garima Arora's honour would hopefully make young Indians sit up and notice that there is a big world out there to charm and conquer. (This article was originally published on Zee News. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Why Garima Arora as a Michelin star chef symbolises the rise of a new India

Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Deb is at it again. After <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/internet-and-satellite-existed-since-mahabharata-era-claims-tripura-cm-131112">claiming that internet existed during the days of Mahabharata</a>, he has now claimed that former Miss World Diana Haydon lacks Goddess like quality and is not an Indian beauty.&nbsp; 
 
Deb was at a design workshop on handlooms in Agartala on Thursday when he said Indian beauty should have the characteristics of Lakshmi and Saraswati, Goddesses of wealth and education. According to Deb, Haydon lacked those 'traits'.&nbsp; 
 
“Koi bhi aata hain to mil jata hain. Diana Hayden ko bhi mil jata hain (Anyone who enters beauty contests, gets a crown. Even Diana Hayden got it),” he said.&nbsp; 
 
Deb, however, was full praises for Aishwarya Rai, who according to him 'represented Indian women'.&nbsp; 
 
Aishwarya was crowned Miss World in 1994 and Diana won the title in 1999.&nbsp; 
 
“Indian women did not use cosmetics in the old times. Indians did not use shampoo, they washed their hair with methi water and bathed with mud. These beauty pageant organisers are international marketing mafia, who spotted a huge market in the country. Today, there is a beauty parlour in every corner of the country,” he said. 
 
Deb's comments came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned the BJP leaders to steer clear of controversies and not offer "masala" to the media by making irresponsible statements. 
 
The Tripura chief minister also claimed that the international beauty contests were a farce as the results were all predetermined. 
 
"Whoever contested the international beauty pageants won. For five consecutive years, we won the Miss World/Miss Universe awards. Diana Hayden won it too. Do you think she should have won the title?" Deb said. 
 
He said he failed to understand the "process of judgement" of the crowning of the Miss World contest in 1997, in which Diana Hayden had got the award. 
 
"We see women as goddess Laxmi, Saraswati. Aishwarya Rai represents the Indian women. She became the Miss World and that's all right. But I do not understand the beauty of Diana Hayden," Deb, who became the chief minister last month, said. 
 
"Why are there no more beauty pageant winners from India? They (the jury) have captured the market in the country and have gone elsewhere," he claimed. 
 
Earlier this month, Deb had claimed that Internet and satellite communication existed in the days of Mahabharata.&nbsp; 
 
Deb's comments did not go down well on Twitter as many slammed the Tripura CM &nbsp;for his remarks.&nbsp; 
 
Activist Kavita Krishnan termed his comments as "stupid, sexist and communal".

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Diana Hayden not an Indian beauty, Aishwarya Rai is: Tripura CM Biplab Deb being a) stupid, b) sexist and c) communal at the same time. <a href="https://t.co/Mi9TrFsoIn">https://t.co/Mi9TrFsoIn</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/htTweets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@htTweets</a>
— Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) <a href="https://twitter.com/kavita_krishnan/status/989537601119023104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"If biplab deb didn't exist, a comic writer would have invented him," columnist Salil Tripathi tweeted.

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If biplab deb didn’t exist, a comic writer would have invented him. <a href="https://t.co/VKyXqm3BAv">https://t.co/VKyXqm3BAv</a>
— Salil Tripathi (@saliltripathi) <a href="https://twitter.com/saliltripathi/status/989513986549993474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Delhi CM advisor Nagendar Sharma in a tweet said, "Though we are still in April, this most likely could qualify for the most ridiculous quote of 2018."

Deb said Indian beauty should have the characteristics of Lakshmi and Saraswati, Goddesses of wealth and education

Chief Minister of Tripura, Biplab Deb is at it again. After claiming that internet existed during the days of Mahabharata, he has now claimed that former Miss World Diana Haydon lacks Goddess like quality and is not an Indian beauty. Deb was at a design workshop on handlooms in Agartala on Thursday when he said Indian beauty should have the characteristics of Lakshmi and Saraswati, Goddesses of wealth and education. According to Deb, Haydon lacked those 'traits'. “Koi bhi aata hain to mil jata hain. Diana Hayden ko bhi mil jata hain (Anyone who enters beauty contests, gets a crown. Even Diana Hayden got it),” he said. Deb, however, was full praises for Aishwarya Rai, who according to him 'represented Indian women'. Aishwarya was crowned Miss World in 1994 and Diana won the title in 1999. “Indian women did not use cosmetics in the old times. Indians did not use shampoo, they washed their hair with methi water and bathed with mud. These beauty pageant organisers are international marketing mafia, who spotted a huge market in the country. Today, there is a beauty parlour in every corner of the country,” he said. Deb's comments came days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi cautioned the BJP leaders to steer clear of controversies and not offer "masala" to the media by making irresponsible statements. The Tripura chief minister also claimed that the international beauty contests were a farce as the results were all predetermined. "Whoever contested the international beauty pageants won. For five consecutive years, we won the Miss World/Miss Universe awards. Diana Hayden won it too. Do you think she should have won the title?" Deb said. He said he failed to understand the "process of judgement" of the crowning of the Miss World contest in 1997, in which Diana Hayden had got the award. "We see women as goddess Laxmi, Saraswati. Aishwarya Rai represents the Indian women. She became the Miss World and that's all right. But I do not understand the beauty of Diana Hayden," Deb, who became the chief minister last month, said. "Why are there no more beauty pageant winners from India? They (the jury) have captured the market in the country and have gone elsewhere," he claimed. Earlier this month, Deb had claimed that Internet and satellite communication existed in the days of Mahabharata. Deb's comments did not go down well on Twitter as many slammed the Tripura CM for his remarks. Activist Kavita Krishnan termed his comments as "stupid, sexist and communal". Diana Hayden not an Indian beauty, Aishwarya Rai is: Tripura CM Biplab Deb being a) stupid, b) sexist and c) communal at the same time. https://t.co/Mi9TrFsoIn via @htTweets — Kavita Krishnan (@kavita_krishnan) April 26, 2018 × "If biplab deb didn't exist, a comic writer would have invented him," columnist Salil Tripathi tweeted. If biplab deb didn’t exist, a comic writer would have invented him. https://t.co/VKyXqm3BAv — Salil Tripathi (@saliltripathi) April 26, 2018 × Delhi CM advisor Nagendar Sharma in a tweet said, "Though we are still in April, this most likely could qualify for the most ridiculous quote of 2018."

Aishwarya Rai represents Indian women not Diana Hayden: Tripura CM

Yes, Women&#39;s Day is relevant in India in terms of the potential it has to bring about a change in the mindsets and attitudes towards women.&nbsp;

But in my opinion, the celebration is overrated. In a country where there are female foeticides, dowry deaths, where women do not have access to schools, toilets and sanitary napkins, women&#39;s day is superficial.

Women&#39;s day needs to come as a movement from within the country, like in the West where it began as a movement of advancing the cause of women&#39;s suffrage or the right to vote. We have still been unable to achieve reservation for women in politics, necessary because of centuries of gender inequality. The Woman&#39;s Reservation Bill, which aims at reserving 33 per cent of all seats in the Lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, and in all state legislative assemblies, lapsed because the Lok Sabha didn&#39;t vote on it.

The so-called privileged women are not that privileged after all when it comes to prejudices and biases.

Women&#39;s participation in the boardrooms is skewed, as is their remuneration. Many are still sidelined at their workplace after pregnancy. Most expecting women bump into the glass ceiling, a commonly-used metaphor used for describing the invisible barrier that hinders the advancement of women up the corporate ladder.

Women need to be given greater flexibility and options like work from home if required. I know of a woman who had a miscarriage, joined back work after surgery, and was told by her manager that she was on &#39;vacation&#39;. This is a serious prejudice and illustrates the insensitive attitude of some. The Maternity (Amendment) Bill introduced in 2017 is a shot in the arm for the female workforce and will mitigate some of the challenges faced by them.

The bias begins right from childhood when a boy&#39;s education is given more priority than a girl&#39;s. If it comes to choosing between whom to send to school, the boy is usually given preference. Child-rearing practices need to change to overcome gender stereotypes. As does the education system- in many places, girls are typically depicted as confined to the domestic sphere, while boys are shown in occupational and outdoor roles.

This Women&#39;s Day, I wish for Indian women to be empowered which implies more freedom, liberation, inclusion, sensitisation of society towards problems of women, and greater role in decision making whether at the workplace or at home.

The increase in the number of divorces in the country is a sign that women are learning to stand up for themselves. The Triple Talaq bill is yet another pathbreaking piece of legislation introduced by the government that will go a long way towards empowering Muslim women.

We need to change mindsets and perspectives towards women and overcome and challenge biased and non-inclusive behaviour. At home, women need to take more decisions from choosing which serial to watch to have an equal say in what to buy and where to live. At work, women need to take on greater leadership roles, be in charge of things and prove the biases towards them are incorrect.

There are some women CEOs, cabinet ministers and industrialists who have made the journey from the kitchen to the corridors of power and are role models worthy of emulation. Here&rsquo;s more power to all women in the years to come as they soar to greater heights and reach their full potential.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Some women have made the journey from the kitchen to the corridors of power. Yet many do not have access to schools, toilets, and sanitary napkins.

Yes, Women's Day is relevant in India in terms of the potential it has to bring about a change in the mindsets and attitudes towards women. But in my opinion, the celebration is overrated. In a country where there are female foeticides, dowry deaths, where women do not have access to schools, toilets and sanitary napkins, women's day is superficial. Women's day needs to come as a movement from within the country, like in the West where it began as a movement of advancing the cause of women's suffrage or the right to vote. We have still been unable to achieve reservation for women in politics, necessary because of centuries of gender inequality. The Woman's Reservation Bill, which aims at reserving 33 per cent of all seats in the Lower house of Parliament, the Lok Sabha, and in all state legislative assemblies, lapsed because the Lok Sabha didn't vote on it. The so-called privileged women are not that privileged after all when it comes to prejudices and biases. Women's participation in the boardrooms is skewed, as is their remuneration. Many are still sidelined at their workplace after pregnancy. Most expecting women bump into the glass ceiling, a commonly-used metaphor used for describing the invisible barrier that hinders the advancement of women up the corporate ladder. Women need to be given greater flexibility and options like work from home if required. I know of a woman who had a miscarriage, joined back work after surgery, and was told by her manager that she was on 'vacation'. This is a serious prejudice and illustrates the insensitive attitude of some. The Maternity (Amendment) Bill introduced in 2017 is a shot in the arm for the female workforce and will mitigate some of the challenges faced by them. The bias begins right from childhood when a boy's education is given more priority than a girl's. If it comes to choosing between whom to send to school, the boy is usually given preference. Child-rearing practices need to change to overcome gender stereotypes. As does the education system- in many places, girls are typically depicted as confined to the domestic sphere, while boys are shown in occupational and outdoor roles. This Women's Day, I wish for Indian women to be empowered which implies more freedom, liberation, inclusion, sensitisation of society towards problems of women, and greater role in decision making whether at the workplace or at home. The increase in the number of divorces in the country is a sign that women are learning to stand up for themselves. The Triple Talaq bill is yet another pathbreaking piece of legislation introduced by the government that will go a long way towards empowering Muslim women. We need to change mindsets and perspectives towards women and overcome and challenge biased and non-inclusive behaviour. At home, women need to take more decisions from choosing which serial to watch to have an equal say in what to buy and where to live. At work, women need to take on greater leadership roles, be in charge of things and prove the biases towards them are incorrect. There are some women CEOs, cabinet ministers and industrialists who have made the journey from the kitchen to the corridors of power and are role models worthy of emulation. Here’s more power to all women in the years to come as they soar to greater heights and reach their full potential. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why the journey from kitchen to corridors of power is so difficult for women

In my growing up years, as a young girl, I remember reading Barbie and Cinderella stories. The storyline would more&nbsp;often than not have a similar sequence of events-- princess finds herself in a problem--prince charming comes to her rescue--and they live happily ever after.

Almost every girl, I included, has doted on the &quot;boy-saves-girl&quot;&nbsp;narrative in her formative years and I have no problem with it, till it started percolating into the workplace culture as well my domestic space which I share with my family members.

Today on Zero Discrimination Day, an annual world event that promotes diversity and recognises that everyone counts, I find myself asking questions such as, what it means to have gender parity at the workplace in India? Who is responsible for bringing equality, and what is equality for a gender that has been discriminated against, for the longest time in history?

In the quest for an answer, I got into a conversation with authors and feminists at the Women Writer&rsquo;s Festival in New Delhi, India.

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Authors and feminists at the Women Writer&rsquo;s Festival in New Delhi, India (WION)
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The idea of how women are discriminated at every level, from the entry point to getting a raise, was highlighted throughout the panel discussions.

Urvashi Butalia, a well-known feminist and the co-founder of India&rsquo;s first exclusive feminist publishing house, Kali for Women, says, &ldquo;Women&rsquo;s day is a sexy concept today but we haven&rsquo;t sorted out what it means in the workplace. Today&rsquo;s generation is a witness to what can be labelled as &lsquo;lip service&rsquo;, which is nothing more than just fluff. But the fact that fluff is gaining space in the narrative around women issues, is the beginning of some change.&rdquo;

Reasons for gender-based discrimination continues to be a problem. Foundation for Sustainable Development points out in one of their research reports that the traditional patriarchal norms have relegated women to secondary status within the household and workplace. This, in turn, affects women&rsquo;s health, financial status, education, and political involvement. It is also seen that in India, women are commonly married young--become mothers--and are then burdened by stringent domestic and financial responsibilities.

The Foundation&rsquo;s research also indicates that women receive little schooling, and suffer from unfair, biased inheritance and divorce laws. These laws prevent women from accumulating financial assets, making it even more difficult for them to establish own security and autonomy.

Running a &quot;statedly feminist organisation where 80 per cent of the workforce is consciously female&quot;, as put by Urvashi, she also points out that &quot;pinkwash&quot;&nbsp;is the new way to procreate women empowerment.

Ritu Kapoor, co-founder of The Quint, throws light on the issues that go way beyond a boardroom and seeps into the daily struggles of being a woman. She says, &ldquo;The &lsquo;everydayness&rsquo; of being a woman is what we are dealing with: Our journey of coming and going from work to home. We don&rsquo;t have enough conversations about these issues.

&ldquo;Women in my office often debate on why they need to be escorted by a guard at night and why they can&rsquo;t go home, as they please? I have nothing to say when they ask me about their space and freedom. I can&rsquo;t tell them: because the society is such and that I care for your safety.

&ldquo;Collateral benefit of all the &lsquo;pinkwashing&rsquo; that has happened is that feminism is becoming better at workspaces&rdquo;, she adds.

&nbsp;

Gender neutral or Gender bias?

The feminists on the panel were divided on whether women in recruitment positions must exercise gender neutrality, in the wake of rampant discrimination that women face.

According to McKinsey Global Institute&rsquo;s report titled, The Power of Parity: Advancing Women&rsquo;s Equality in India, data points indicate poor levels of gender parity in the Indian society. India&rsquo;s global Gender Parity Score or GPS is 0.48, where a score of 1 is considered ideal. India&rsquo;s score represents an &ldquo;extremely high&rdquo; level of gender inequality, which compares poorly with 0.71 for Western Europe and 0.74 for North America and Oceania.

Anuranjita Kumar, Chief HR Officer at Citi South Asia agrees that there is discrimination on the higher level but not on entry-medium level jobs. But she says, &ldquo;Women need inclusion and not quotas.&rdquo; She stressed on maintaining a &quot;diversity ratio&quot;&nbsp;while employing young talent.

&ldquo;What we need, is to declutter the path, so as to enable women to make headway. Men and women should be hired on merit and not their gender.&rdquo;&nbsp;

Backing Anuranjita&rsquo;s argument, Ritu says, &ldquo;Gender neutrality is the way to go. 70 per cent of my team is women but I have not made an extra effort of hiring only women. I am talent hungry-- want a diversity of voices--not necessarily male or female--but variety, as everyone is distinct.&rdquo;

She adds, &ldquo;Being inclusive in the conversation is what we need.&rdquo;

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Urvashi comes back to her point of being a feminist and showing it. She says, &ldquo;It needs to be re-examined, as to who has the opportunity to acquire merit and who has not. I would actively recruit women, giving them more points for having lost out on the opportunities that men have had.&rdquo;

In support of Urvashi, Aparna Jain, author of &quot;Own It&quot;, came out rather strong on her idea of feminism. She went all out to say, &ldquo;What does the concept of merit mean? How do you think companies&nbsp;function: Gender blind, neutral or aware? It all comes from a place of great privilege, while most women don&rsquo;t have it.&rdquo;

&ldquo;We have families that support us, husbands who are CEOs, good educational backgrounds; we have a voice we can speak. There are many who can&rsquo;t speak and we speak for them.&rdquo;

&ldquo;I am very happy that SEBI insists that at least one woman should be there in the boardroom-- it makes men think about it, they never thought about it earlier. Unless it is put in their head that I have to take a woman, they won&rsquo;t.&rdquo;

&ldquo;If it takes that &lsquo;extra&rsquo; step--the pendulum--we are years away as far as male privilege is concerned and for us to reach there, it will take these steps. It&rsquo;s too early to consider merit unless your company is extremely evolved. There has to be a push, think bigger, wider and there definitely must be some kind of a quota.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

Feminism: The label

Urvashi says, &ldquo;It doesn&rsquo;t matter if the younger generation has a problem with calling themselves a feminist, after all, it&rsquo;s just a mere label. The label is only as important as you make it. You might not call yourself a feminist but still do everything like a feminist does.&rdquo;

Simplifying with history, she says, &ldquo;Feminism in India has a Western confluence, so some Indian women don&rsquo;t accept it because in India we don&rsquo;t have an equivalent &lsquo;nariwad&rsquo; (Hindi for feminism) that falls in the narrative.&rdquo;

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On this, Radhika Vaz, the stand-up comedian and author, displays a less forgiving attitude towards those who don&rsquo;t want to call themselves a feminist. &ldquo;You&rsquo;re either a feminist or you&rsquo;re not and you must be proud to call yourself one.&rdquo;

&nbsp;

Including Men in the Narrative

Radhika explains, &ldquo;We are here at &lsquo;A&rsquo; and we have to get there &lsquo;B&rsquo; and there has to be some extreme things that happen for us to reach at least the middle.&rdquo;

She narrates a real-life example.&nbsp;&ldquo;What I face as a comedian--whoever makes a booking, a private event or college or club--I noticed that those decisions are made by men. They are on the panels and they are the ones listening to the show also. It&rsquo;s a vicious cycle, as they prefer a male comedian. Women in the audience ultimately, only see a man up there on stage, and assume this career option--something outside their realm of reality--and thus we have less women on stage.

&ldquo;Men are only used to laughing on things that they are comfortable in, something they keep on listening to--and so, they are not used to dealing with women or their issues.

&quot;Also, whenever a woman has to make a list, she includes names of men, so as to balance the list. I used to do the same. But the unfairness of where we are today--is so intense that it&rsquo;s far from being repaired. I don&rsquo;t see why we should ever care. I don&rsquo;t include men in my lists now, consciously!&rdquo; she adds.

While, Urvashi gives special importance to language and says, &ldquo;Traditionally, employers don&rsquo;t look at home and ways in which constraints work on women: flexi-time, co-working spaces, infrastructure.&rdquo;

She continues, &ldquo;We must rethink power relationships, feminism as a principle on which you work on, intersectionality and collaboration. Men need to understand that they need to enter these debates, they did not give us a chance but we created our own. Now they have to make an effort and enter our dialogues.&rdquo;

She also adds, &ldquo;Language is important: Has to also revolve around food, homework, home care, illness in the family, not to use women based swear words.&rdquo;

Ritu gives importance to bringing men into the conversation. She stresses, &ldquo;Having organisations where there are only women, doesn&rsquo;t bring change. Men need to be brought into the conversation&hellip;I have had to change jobs because I have been a victim of sexual harassment myself.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s important to know things beyond policies.&rdquo;

&ldquo;How many of us know, that we can take the matter straight to the court and not go to the management? Men don&rsquo;t know enough what might happen.&rdquo;

At the end of the day, feminists were divided on how gender parity could be effectuated in every sphere of the workplace as it is a complex problem, involving a multitude of issues, such as wage gaps, appraisals, sexual harassment, laws and policies, access to credit to just name few.

(WION)

Panelists at the Women Writers' Festival were divided on the issue

In my growing up years, as a young girl, I remember reading Barbie and Cinderella stories. The storyline would more often than not have a similar sequence of events-- princess finds herself in a problem--prince charming comes to her rescue--and they live happily ever after. Almost every girl, I included, has doted on the "boy-saves-girl" narrative in her formative years and I have no problem with it, till it started percolating into the workplace culture as well my domestic space which I share with my family members. Today on Zero Discrimination Day, an annual world event that promotes diversity and recognises that everyone counts, I find myself asking questions such as, what it means to have gender parity at the workplace in India? Who is responsible for bringing equality, and what is equality for a gender that has been discriminated against, for the longest time in history? In the quest for an answer, I got into a conversation with authors and feminists at the Women Writer’s Festival in New Delhi, India. Authors and feminists at the Women Writer’s Festival in New Delhi, India (WION) × The idea of how women are discriminated at every level, from the entry point to getting a raise, was highlighted throughout the panel discussions. Urvashi Butalia, a well-known feminist and the co-founder of India’s first exclusive feminist publishing house, Kali for Women, says, “Women’s day is a sexy concept today but we haven’t sorted out what it means in the workplace. Today’s generation is a witness to what can be labelled as ‘lip service’, which is nothing more than just fluff. But the fact that fluff is gaining space in the narrative around women issues, is the beginning of some change.” Reasons for gender-based discrimination continues to be a problem. Foundation for Sustainable Development points out in one of their research reports that the traditional patriarchal norms have relegated women to secondary status within the household and workplace. This, in turn, affects women’s health, financial status, education, and political involvement. It is also seen that in India, women are commonly married young--become mothers--and are then burdened by stringent domestic and financial responsibilities. The Foundation’s research also indicates that women receive little schooling, and suffer from unfair, biased inheritance and divorce laws. These laws prevent women from accumulating financial assets, making it even more difficult for them to establish own security and autonomy. Running a "statedly feminist organisation where 80 per cent of the workforce is consciously female", as put by Urvashi, she also points out that "pinkwash" is the new way to procreate women empowerment. Ritu Kapoor, co-founder of The Quint, throws light on the issues that go way beyond a boardroom and seeps into the daily struggles of being a woman. She says, “The ‘everydayness’ of being a woman is what we are dealing with: Our journey of coming and going from work to home. We don’t have enough conversations about these issues. “Women in my office often debate on why they need to be escorted by a guard at night and why they can’t go home, as they please? I have nothing to say when they ask me about their space and freedom. I can’t tell them: because the society is such and that I care for your safety. “Collateral benefit of all the ‘pinkwashing’ that has happened is that feminism is becoming better at workspaces”, she adds. Gender neutral or Gender bias? The feminists on the panel were divided on whether women in recruitment positions must exercise gender neutrality, in the wake of rampant discrimination that women face. According to McKinsey Global Institute’s report titled, The Power of Parity: Advancing Women’s Equality in India, data points indicate poor levels of gender parity in the Indian society. India’s global Gender Parity Score or GPS is 0.48, where a score of 1 is considered ideal. India’s score represents an “extremely high” level of gender inequality, which compares poorly with 0.71 for Western Europe and 0.74 for North America and Oceania. Anuranjita Kumar, Chief HR Officer at Citi South Asia agrees that there is discrimination on the higher level but not on entry-medium level jobs. But she says, “Women need inclusion and not quotas.” She stressed on maintaining a "diversity ratio" while employing young talent. “What we need, is to declutter the path, so as to enable women to make headway. Men and women should be hired on merit and not their gender.” Backing Anuranjita’s argument, Ritu says, “Gender neutrality is the way to go. 70 per cent of my team is women but I have not made an extra effort of hiring only women. I am talent hungry-- want a diversity of voices--not necessarily male or female--but variety, as everyone is distinct.” She adds, “Being inclusive in the conversation is what we need.” "I would actively recruit women, giving them more points for having lost out on the opportunities that men have had.” × Urvashi comes back to her point of being a feminist and showing it. She says, “It needs to be re-examined, as to who has the opportunity to acquire merit and who has not. I would actively recruit women, giving them more points for having lost out on the opportunities that men have had.” In support of Urvashi, Aparna Jain, author of "Own It", came out rather strong on her idea of feminism. She went all out to say, “What does the concept of merit mean? How do you think companies function: Gender blind, neutral or aware? It all comes from a place of great privilege, while most women don’t have it.” “We have families that support us, husbands who are CEOs, good educational backgrounds; we have a voice we can speak. There are many who can’t speak and we speak for them.” “I am very happy that SEBI insists that at least one woman should be there in the boardroom-- it makes men think about it, they never thought about it earlier. Unless it is put in their head that I have to take a woman, they won’t.” “If it takes that ‘extra’ step--the pendulum--we are years away as far as male privilege is concerned and for us to reach there, it will take these steps. It’s too early to consider merit unless your company is extremely evolved. There has to be a push, think bigger, wider and there definitely must be some kind of a quota.” Feminism: The label Urvashi says, “It doesn’t matter if the younger generation has a problem with calling themselves a feminist, after all, it’s just a mere label. The label is only as important as you make it. You might not call yourself a feminist but still do everything like a feminist does.” Simplifying with history, she says, “Feminism in India has a Western confluence, so some Indian women don’t accept it because in India we don’t have an equivalent ‘nariwad’ (Hindi for feminism) that falls in the narrative.” Feminism in India has a Western confluence, so some Indian women don’t accept it because in India we don’t have an equivalent ‘nariwad’. × On this, Radhika Vaz, the stand-up comedian and author, displays a less forgiving attitude towards those who don’t want to call themselves a feminist. “You’re either a feminist or you’re not and you must be proud to call yourself one.” Including Men in the Narrative Radhika explains, “We are here at ‘A’ and we have to get there ‘B’ and there has to be some extreme things that happen for us to reach at least the middle.” She narrates a real-life example. “What I face as a comedian--whoever makes a booking, a private event or college or club--I noticed that those decisions are made by men. They are on the panels and they are the ones listening to the show also. It’s a vicious cycle, as they prefer a male comedian. Women in the audience ultimately, only see a man up there on stage, and assume this career option--something outside their realm of reality--and thus we have less women on stage. “Men are only used to laughing on things that they are comfortable in, something they keep on listening to--and so, they are not used to dealing with women or their issues. "Also, whenever a woman has to make a list, she includes names of men, so as to balance the list. I used to do the same. But the unfairness of where we are today--is so intense that it’s far from being repaired. I don’t see why we should ever care. I don’t include men in my lists now, consciously!” she adds. While, Urvashi gives special importance to language and says, “Traditionally, employers don’t look at home and ways in which constraints work on women: flexi-time, co-working spaces, infrastructure.” She continues, “We must rethink power relationships, feminism as a principle on which you work on, intersectionality and collaboration. Men need to understand that they need to enter these debates, they did not give us a chance but we created our own. Now they have to make an effort and enter our dialogues.” She also adds, “Language is important: Has to also revolve around food, homework, home care, illness in the family, not to use women based swear words.” Ritu gives importance to bringing men into the conversation. She stresses, “Having organisations where there are only women, doesn’t bring change. Men need to be brought into the conversation…I have had to change jobs because I have been a victim of sexual harassment myself. “It’s important to know things beyond policies.” “How many of us know, that we can take the matter straight to the court and not go to the management? Men don’t know enough what might happen.” At the end of the day, feminists were divided on how gender parity could be effectuated in every sphere of the workplace as it is a complex problem, involving a multitude of issues, such as wage gaps, appraisals, sexual harassment, laws and policies, access to credit to just name few. (WION)

Is India ready for gender parity in the workplace?

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