The pre-election status of women did show a dazzling picture of their participation in politics. In all, 556 women had contested the 2009 general elections. Congress won the trophy with 23 women MPs with Bharatiya Janata Party becoming runner up with 13 women. The All India Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) follow with four women each. The Janata Dal- United, Shiromani Akali Dal and Nationalist Congress Party have two women MPs each. The Telangana Rashtra Samiti, Rashtriya Lok Dal, Shiv Sena, DMK and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have one woman MP each. This is brighter than last election when 355 women contested and only 45 won.

Woman empowerment is a multitasking exercise. It encompasses social, financial, cultural and finally the political empowerment. The means to achieve political empowerment is the social, financial and cultural empowerment. The political hierarchy in India at this moment of history has prominent women faces at the top such as President Pratibha Patil, Congress Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Speaker Meira Kumar.

The brightest star among them seems to be Mamata Di, the forthright fearless women politician who has shown red to the red and bid tata to Tata. She is a genuine fighter and hence an inspiration for the women who no longer are afraid of male dominance in any arena of life. This spirited leadership of women in Indian governance is the best time for