Hail Miera!

All is well with UPA at the centre and stable government it is. One thing still concerns me among all the hue and cry about Meira Kumar being elected as the first female speaker of the country. I am happy for her and most of the credit in this decision goes to BJP for acting with character. I am ready to forget its gains though. UPA has many achievements to boast about.

• 1st woman Prime Minister - Indira Gandhi 1966
  
• 1st woman president - Prathiba Patil 2008
  
• 1st woman speaker - Miera Kumar 2009
  
• Many dalits at the helm

Meira Kumar has an illustrious career behind her with multiple wins and dalit tag which saw her sail through and bag a seat at the helm. Being the daughter of former deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram helps but is not her only qualification. Just looking beyond the dalit, women tags she is more qualified than many of her peer MPs. Her qualifications include...

• MA
• LLB
• Served as an IFS officer at Spain, UK, Mauritius, etc.
  
• Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment from 2004 to 2009
• A keen sportswoman and holds medals for rifle shooting
• Also a poetess

Beat that? I hope people will start recognizing talent above gender, caste and other divisive forces.

I hope this Lok Sabha behaves decently this time and does work unlike the last few sessions when Somnath had to literally ask the honorable members to behave. Having a woman at the helm should bring in some change. Its hail women and hail India for maturing to a stage where women are accepted as leaders.