Present-day heroines

It is not just Womens Day that calls for celebration. Women are at the forefront today in every field.

63-year-old Krishna gave birth to a baby boy recently. This elderly lady from Hissar,who had lost her only child in an accident 16 years ago,opted for Assisted Reproductive Technology at a fertility center in Haryana. And she and Bhim Singh,her 65-year-old husband, were blessed with a baby boy! Age has not deterred her from realising her dreams. She is a woman of today.

For International Womens Day,on March 8,this comes as refreshing news for women who are opting for motherhood in their latter years. It is also a celebration of womens achievements,be it social,economic or even political. Today being educated,be it in any field,and social awareness is in the forefront as far as women worldwide are concerned.

Films have been one of the best mediums to showcase the power of womanhood. Over the years,there have been films that have portrayed the woman as a very strong person,the best example being Mother India. There has never been another film that showed a meek woman who stands up to her rights without succumbing to circumstances. An uneducated Nargis as a hard working wife,a loving daughter-in-law and a mother,who,for the honour of a girl from the village,even picks up the gun and shoots her beloved son who has kidnapped her,was definitely a true heroine. Her performance and the film are both remembered even today. Astitva had Tabu standing up for her self-respect. She believed that begetting a son out of wedlock is better than living in a loveless marriage. And last year saw Vidya Balan go all out and make a dirty picture. She had no qualms about doing it and several awards are already adorning her shelf. Vidya is all set to continue her endevaour with Kahaani wherein she is playing a pregnant woman in search of her missing husband. The actress has been promoting the film sporting a huge tummy,in public areas. There are many women in the film industry who are taking it up as a challenge to promote womanhood. Ekta Kapoors transition from a plump kid to TV business head to a producer of some remarkable films has to be applauded. Bipasha Basu,who is a hearthrob of many,went around breaking hearts in Jodi Breakers. The child-like and innocent looking Genelia married her sweetheart Riteish Deshmukh after a patient ten year wait and their film Tere Naal Love Ho Gaya proved a hit,like their love.

And how can we forget great women leaders like Indira Gandhi,Sarojini Naidu or for that matter,Rani Laxmibai and Ahilyabai Holkar who were instrumental in fighting for the rights of their kin?