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Women must participate in politics

There were speculations that the Nobel Peace Prize might go to former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl or to the European Union. Instead, three women from Africa and Yemen received the award. The statement seems to be that women play a big role in the pursuit of peace and democracy - in Africa as well as the Arab world. The message, if generalized, is loud and clear. There is no reason for women to remain confined to their families. They have an important role to play not only socially and culturally, as is often expected, but also politically.

Even in India, we are mostly involved in political rhetoric when it comes to women’s rights. True, our Constitution makes it clear that women in this country are in no way inferior to men. Our Parliament and state legislatures have also passed laws with the intention of empowering women. But do our women really feel empowered? Do they feel safe if they find themselves outside their homes in the middle of night?

Do we really treat them as they should be? These questions and a host of others will be difficult to answer even for us in India? Meanwhile, all the three Nobel laureates show that only political participation and social responsibility at the highest levels can ensure that the interests and rights of the female half of society are represented and respected. This is also a lesson for women in India. They must become politically active so that they can fight for their rights. Female foeticide is a reality in India. This denies females even the right to live. The real change will come when women participate in politics in large numbers, and politics ceases to be a male bastion.

Dr SHRUTI SINGH, Chandigarh

Dr AJAY SHARMA, Ambala

Death of an icon The death of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs marks the end of an era. He was responsible for changing the daily habits of millions by reinventing computing and mobile phones. He was indeed a visionary leader. No doubt, his death resulted in an outpouring of tributes. He is also an inspiration for many in India, especially the youths. The greatness of Steve Jobs lies in his indomitable courage. He faced many difficulties in life and at times the situation would be so bad that anyone else would perhaps give up and might even contemplate committing suicide. He was a college dropout and there was a moment in his life when he did not know what to do. He was thrown out of Apple in 1985. He did not give up. He returned to the company in 1997 and after a few years began to rollout a host of products like the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. Indian youths, who graduate from premier institutions, should emulate the great man and establish their own companies. This would also be in the interest of the country. If the US became a powerful country, it was because of its great visionaries with entrepreneurial zeal, who worked hard to change the country’s destiny forever. There is also a message here. Steve Jobs failed to pursue an academic career, but it did not hamper his growth in life. KULDEEP SINGH, Jalandhar