Women and the Nuclear Energy

I excuse myself for the choice of title of this write up if it made you think that the ultra women may hold the key to our energy woes. They do not. At least not directly. Rather impertinent it might seem to some, I have a simple yet undiscovered base to affiliate women to nuclear energy. But unfortunately this nexus between women and nuclear energy is not a win-win situation for the two.

The recent political drama about the Nuclear deal that ensues even as I write this article has been hitting headlines for time immemorial now. Twists and turns in the Nuclear deal even beat the recent Bollywood Blockbuster 'Race'. And last of these tacks (as of now) was Samajwadi Party's decision to back the Congress led UPA government at the center in case the Left withdraws support on the issue of Nuclear deal. While Samjawadi Party's official decree gave a kiss of life to the Nuclear deal, the event itself was laden with controversies. Firstly, Samajwadi Party was not very sure and only after an endorsement from ex-President and scientist APJ Abdul Kalam, could muster the political will to support. Secondly, critics say the decision was a last ditch effort by the Samajwadi Party to connect with the masses whose unhappiness is seeing them sit in the opposition benches of the Uttar Pradesh State Legislative Assembly. Lastly, the crutch that they are offering the Nuclear deal comes at a price. And one of the wishes of the Samajwadi Party is to drop the women's (reservation) bill.

One thing that surely shocked me was why did the media remain unmoved even at the hint of such a barter, which otherwise is very vocal about anything to do with women. For one, a 'popular' 24 hours Hindi news channel made a two hour program on all the women who want to win over wrestler Khali, not very long ago.

So, as they say, you cannot have it all. Not the middle class at least, who have to trudge the hard way to become successful. And yes, India is middle class, err, actually developing, as they say for countries (and not middle class that is meant for individuals). Maybe this is the problem. Like individuals have this 'middle class thinking' problem (that means a fear of dreaming and aiming bigger than what one has seen anyone achieving; according to my understanding, ofcourse), we, as a nation have this 'developing country thinking' issue. This leaves us gratified with whatever little our government does for us. We get used to (and a part of) the corruption, bad roads, power shortage, delayed trains & flights, long queues, poor housing, no social security, food adulterants, no 911, an unapproachable police, a must avoid judiciary, poverty, begging, casteism, regionalism, fundamentalism and politics based on all of these, rapes, murders and what not.

And only we are responsible for the ironical yet unfortunate trade off that might happen pretty soon. Women's Bill or the Nuclear deal. It is us who bring such incapacitated politicians to power who look like jokers whenever faced with a trying situation.

We are also accountable for coalition politics. Political parties without majority scour for partners who might help them lead (read rule) the country. Like-minded parties come together. But like-mindedness is love but coalition is like marriage. And these are different ball games altogether. The way the Left parties take it is, 'Hey Dude! So, you couldn't make it, eh? Don't worry, keep running, and if I don't like the way you run, I'll pull the trigger.' And for the Nuclear deal, 'Run Lola Run'.

I'm not favoring the Women's reservation bill, not because I'm against women. But more so because I'm against any kind of mindless reservation which is not socio-politico-economically aimed. But what makes me sad is the reason why some political parties are opposing it, and that they might become successful in doing so, thanks to some timely maneuvered political blackmailing.

So, the government, on behalf of a nation whose energy needs are spiraling and facing an urgency to replace petroleum as an energy source, requests all women to shun their political aspirations and the emancipation that might had followed. And in lieu of that, the government promises that you will not have to walk miles to get timber for cooking. Water will flow down taps in your homes and not at a hand-pump kilometers away. There will be electricity in your kitchen where you will cook with LNG or electricity run ovens. Somewhere around 2015. And if all of that does not happen, there will, surely be superfluous media coverage and nondescript news articles like this.