Forbes released its annual list of 100 most influential women in the world. The list covers a range of sectors from large Corporations to non-profits and of course politics, and as such is a comprehensive representation of the female horsepower in the world today.
For me as an Indian woman, the fact that Sonia Gandhi (President of the ruling Congress party) came in well above Michelle Obama was something to smile and talk about. It is no mean feat for Sonia Gandhi to beat the likes of Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama who have an instant advantage by being associated with the most powerful and influential administration in the world. Both the above-mentioned women travel the world, are regular features on the news in any country they visit and have a much more mature PR machinery backing them- all advantages over our Mrs. Gandhi. One is the wife of an ex-President and the other is married to one. So what makes Sonia Gandhi more powerful than them?
Forbes unequivocally acknowledges her as the “leader of India’s most powerful political party” and calls her the “dominant force” in the country. And I think that is where the key lies. By giving Sonia Gandhi her due place in the list, Forbes is acknowledging the growing importance of India. With a population of over 10 billion people and one of the few economies to continue to show a growth potential of almost 7%, India is a market no one can ignore. So a woman who has the capability of influencing this market must necessarily get her due credit.
But Sonia Gandhi’s supremacy, it must be acknowledged, is not just derived from the size of India. It is also derived from the political and social complexity she faces every day and the consecutive successes she has managed to deliver. Initially ostracized by many as non-Indian because of her Italian lineage and language handicap, she has managed to overcome both issues and put those concerns to rest once and for all. She has shown remarkable political astuteness and true spirit of public service by giving the Prime Ministership to a man like Dr. Manmohan Singh when she could have easily chosen to promote herself or her children (nepotism being an accepted part of Indian politics).
She has played tough with both her allies and rivals as and when required and against all odds lead her party’s Government to broker the successful nuclear deal with the US and win the recent elections by an unexpected majority. Both Hillary and Obama are yet to notch up any such significant achievements and thus must bow down to her.
In the end it must be said that while she may have lived under the shadows of her equally powerful Mother-in-Law and endearing husband when they were ruling India, it is clear that she learnt her lessons well. She has developed her unique blend of quite assertiveness that the world is noticing and acknowledging. Let us hope that as time passes she can parlay this influence and power to get India an even greater recognition and stake in the world stage. Congratulations and all the best Mrs. Gandhi!
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