And here's what it sounds like:

Vrooom! Vroooom! Vrooooom!

I find this piece of news heartening: the sale of motorcycles to women in India jumped by about 40% in 2010. This is according to The Economic Times, which reports that for women under the age of 30, Yamaha, Honda and Royal Enfield motorcycles are the new icon of liberation.

I am woman, hear me roar!

Breathe in the heady fumes of liberation as you read these comments from Dermalogica’s distributor in India, Avni Amlani (Education Director), and Amruta Ramsubramaniam (Manager, Communications and Education). They read our February 14 post about women’s liberation in India, “PRETTY (FIERCE) IN PINK,” and have this to say:

JW: What lessons does the women’s rights movement in rural India
offer to women in the industrialized West?

AVNI & AMRUTA: Women’s liberation in rural India is ultimately a global celebration of Women across the globe! It gives every woman courage to surpass all the hardships (social, physical, mental) and victoriously stride towards achieving her dreams!

There are many women in the Industrialized west who bear the brunt of domestic violence. However, there it is not as apparent as it is in India. Few feel it is acceptable, few others do not view it publicly because of a certain type of social stigma. Whatever it is – any kind of violence / injustice should not be accepted. And that’s what Indian women today are standing for – be it women from metros, or the smallest towns, be it postgraduates, or women who do not read and write – they all are coming on their own!

Women of today are not going to tolerate just one day of love on Valentine’s Day, and the other 364 days of abuse and injustice.

Today ‘s young Indian girls are agents of change, not just in India, but globally. Many are getting support from local bodies and government to complete their higher education. A great many are also turning into entrepreneurs.

Today educated young women expect their husbands to share household responsibilities. In fact, many times, a woman is the sole breadwinner of the house!

Women have equal rights today – Educational, Political, Social, Moral. This reform envisages the entirety of “women’s liberation movement” as a whole.

It gives hope and courage to any modern western women who still is facing in discrimination / abuse in spite of the claim of modernity. (Bet there are many western women who are still ill-treated, or who are not reformed enough).

It also offers array of positive opportunities to the modern ladies – be it associating with women’s uplifting organizations, giving a hand-up to the women entrepreneurs, or just blogging about them to their group of friends! (Power of blogging cannot be stressed enough here!)

The modern Indian women is breaking barriers – she is a multi-tasker who juggles between her home and profession, and at the same time is deep-rooted in her Indian culture. She may look contemporary (wearing the most fashionable designer clothes, working at a senior level in the corporate world, party-hopping on weekends…etc.), but is still a traditional Indian at heart (taking care of her family, cooking for them, offering prayers…).

The confidence of modern Indian women is scintillating, invigorating and inspiring. There are brave stories of girls who have left their small hometowns and come to larger metros in search of their dreams. Many have succeeded, many are still trying, few have failed – but that does not stop these women from carving a niche for themselves.

The ancient Indian practices of child-marriage, female infanticide, Sati (where a women used to be burnt alive upon her husband’s death) are now (thankfully) rare, and isolated to the more remote regions of our great country. Rural Indian women now claim their rights and have a say over everything – her life, her career choices, her sexuality…!

Education has been a key factor for this reform. In India, women are achievers in almost all fields, and the entire nation (men included) are proud of their economic, political and social achievements.

Today’s generation has witnessed roles being swapped. Men are helping their wives to do laundry or cook food! Women, on other hand, do not mind paying the electricity bills, driving the kids to school, or just enjoying a game of tennis!

Today, the Indian woman can “question” a situation. She is not someone who will sit back and accept injustice, in a state of discrimination and inequality. She will stand up on her own, voice her own opinion and “ASK.” And, as they say, “The power to question is the basis of human progress!”

Indian women are all about substance, intelligence and grit – not just a piece of desire for men. And they have so successfully and convincingly proved this.

There are so many great examples of real Indian women who have stood testimony of time and come out victorious – in real sense, they have broken the barriers!

Kiran Bedi was perhaps the first person who broke the myth that women cannot be police officers. Her courage, stamina, will power and responsibility won her accolades from all sectors. Her dedication to reform the police system in India and also her association with various social activities won her the Ramon Magsaysay Award.

Barkha Dutt is perhaps one of the greatest news and media personalities in India. Her keen news sense, courage, dedication have made her a known name in every nook and corner of the country. From the army barracks of Kashmir to the streets of India, her finesse and expertise in delivering news has made her stand above the crowd.

Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi: Perhaps the main driving force behind the success of Pepsi in India, Indra Krishnamurthy Nooyi has climbed the ladder to become one of the world’s leading business personalities. Her strategies, decisions and managerial skills have made her the new business model of India.

In an article featured in the indianprogrammer.com called “The Phenomena of Indian Women IT Professionals,” the stereotype about programming is described as, “an obsessive, abstract, and introvert activity unsuitable for women.” However, several Indian women have proven this theory wrong. Approximately one-third of employees at Indian software companies
(source: http://www.chillibreeze.com/WomenWritersinIndia.asp)

Indian women are becoming increasingly visible and successful in the professional and public sphere. Whether it is Arundhati Roy, a Booker Prize Winner and a social activist, or Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, who became the wealthiest Indian woman after the initial public offering of her company, Biocon, they have all victoriously marked the arrival of Indian women professionals.

Here's a comment from Sharon:

"I have just returned from India. The Gulabi Gang is led by women from one of India's poorest communities and their main concern is to try and stop the injustice and corruption which is affecting the communities. One of their campaigns involved raiding the electricity power station to stop officials turning off the electricity until they had received sufficient bribes. I was staying with a friend and the electricity was being turned off at random times during the day with the premise that there was a shortage of power!

I spent time with the youngsters growing up in the poor fisherman's village, and I have enormous admiration for their determination to pull themselves out of poverty. Oftentimes it is the girls that are taking responsibility for the entire family. One thing they learn almost by osmosis is that education is the route to a better life and freedom, so after school they relish the English and math's tuition that is offered by charities. When the parents try to get them to go to work at 14, they challenge this, and the support they get from sponsors for food can be the one reason they can succeed and continue their education.

I have been sponsoring one such girl for 6 years. She is now 17 and her sister is 21 years old. Her father is an alcoholic, and her mother wanted her elder sister to go to work to support the family, and not continue her studies. But the sister told the mother if she does not continue her education, the money would stop, so the mother allowed her to study. She is working toward getting her MCA (Masters of Computer Application). She is determined to succeed and make a better life for her family.

The desire to do well is almost instinctive. I bought coloring books for the children and they carefully filled in the shapes, aiming for perfection and looking to me for affirmation and a "well done!" A simple coloring book brings so much joy and hope."