The Doon School played host to a meeting of 650 women Panchayat functionaries from the village, block and district level in Uttaranchal.
Women have always been the backbone of the hill economy, and the meet sent out the unanimous signal that while men rule the roost, women were no longer content playing second fiddle.
"People have made women a part of the election procedure but they are not allowed to come out of their houses, said Deela Naakoti, Panchayat member.
"All women who are still limited to their homes should follow elected women and come to the forefront," she added.
Miles to go
At present there are nearly 7500 elected women at various posts in the state government, representing 42 lakh women in the state.
However, the man behind the meet said the government has much to do to improve the conditions of women.
"It is our job to put pressure on the government. The government has made no Panchayati Act as yet, we have borrowed the Act from UP," said Avdesh Kaushal, RLEK.
"The very reason behind the creation of Uttaranchal is defeated in such a case, he added.
If Uttaranchal has to progress, it will be through the help of women who are free of political shackles and empowered to work for the common good.
At the end of the day, it is power that will separate the climbers from the crawlers and the doers from the dreamers.
