And for a Friday, post International Women’s day, some thoughts….. some musings…..
WPL 2023 – Women’s Premier League is a watershed moment not just for female sports, but symbolises a quantum change in attitudes, upliftment, recognition of Gender equality and inclusion. Not many may be aware that the U-19 Girls team led by Shefali Verma won the World Cup defeating England team in South Africa in January this year. WPL, now underway in Mumbai, 5 teams are competing. Each team has some of World’s best women cricketers and the financial interest and stakes are high too. Broadcast rights for WPL is 961 crores and a whooping Rs 4669 crores for the five franchises. Watch the games and see how the teams compete fiercely to win each game. Every woman cricketer is Professional, Performing and Passionate in every given role. Kudus to the players, teams, organisers and viewers. May India lead the way to true recognition of gender equality. Sania Mirza, Mentor of RCB said “It is not just about playing sports. It is about making India a better place for women and sports gives us the power to do so”.
Women empowerment and education has made huge leaps. In every sphere, women in India are competing with the best and breaking new glass ceilings. The National Defense Academy now admits girls after class 12 as Cadets to all three services. The Army, Navy and Air Force Services have women in real combat positions at par with men. This month, Group Captain Shaliza Dhami with more than 28,000 hours of flying experience has taken command of the Missile Squadron somewhere in Western India facing Pakistan. One of my former colleagues Ashima Sushilchandra, starting career as Asst Manager – Projects, in a large Chemicals manufacturing MNC, is today Director Engineering & Technical Expertise for Asia Pacific in hardcore manufacturing projects at global scale, an icon for young Female Engineers. Women in every sphere have excelled. India is changing not just in the Metros, but even in tier 2, 3 and 4 cities. Girls are challenging the old patriarchal stereotypes. Changes have taken place in leaps and bounds, but the challenges are huge. Much, much more needs to be done. WPL is the “hockey-stick” moment of India.
Let us all further support women empowerment and enable India to become World’s third largest Economy, the surrealist way, the equitable way, the SEEGOS way.