[dropcap]T[/dropcap]here is a saying among the Indian intelligentsia that some of the best and finest things in life, be it in any field of endeavour including religion and science, have come from America (to wit, the United States). The word “America” makes not only any Naga but Indian and other nationalities as well sit up in awe. Fine.
However, to balance the other side of the coin, some of the worst things in today’s world and life by extension have also surfed out of America and pervaded and infested the rest of the world.As of things stand at precisely these days, whatever becomes the trend in America, the rest of the world apes and freak out on them. However, it may be a little surprise to learn that even most of the founding fathers of the American Declaration of Independence were not in favour of women aspiring to respectable positions in public life.
The United States has come a long way since emancipation of the slaves, followed by reconstruction of the Southern rebellious States, desegregations of Whites and Blacks and (other) coloured people. And now, after a Black African-American American was elected twice to be its President. Americans are now toying with the idea of voting a woman to power as the next President in 2016.
And why not? It is only now that the White majority who have voted a Black to the country’s highest office, have seemingly crossed the colour border and are now contemplating that perhaps a White woman of repute, a WASP ( White Anglo-Saxon Protestant) may be given a chance.
Obviously, the choice is Hilary Rodham Clinton who after being overshadowed in the Democratic Party nomination primaries was fortunate enough to be appointed as Secretary of State (meaning Home Minister in Indian context) in President Obama’s government.
Although Hilary declined a second tenure in Obama’s inner circle, trends are that she will pursue her presidential election ambitions. Even her husband, former twice President Bill Clinton has said publicly in an interview with ABC (American Broadcasting Corporation) news that her “next attempt will be better.”
This is the age of many definitions—both positive and negative—and needs no elaboration. However, above all, it is also the age of the (greatest) enlightenment. What we hope is that some of our fine and upstanding but capable also women get elected to the Legislative Assembly with the full support of the progressive men who have managed to give them even this much of leverage. Women all over the world are rising to high positions manily because of acumen translated into abilities in what is still ragrded as a man’s world. Best of luck to them.
