Emotional aptitude of the fairer sex is most appreciated the world over for natural reasons.

Taking this argument further, here are some of my observations about women contribution in the Indian industry growth.

Some finance, FMCG, Pharma industries are currently headed by women CEOs. Women are making their mark in the media in a big way.

At the proverbial glass ceiling level, women are no longer seen any different than men. So to some extent - though not completely as anywhere - the bias has reduced. Women now, along with their EQ are taking on men at the IQ level and beating them hands down.

All these are facts everyone would agree with.

There are some other areas I would like to highlight based on my personal observations and learning.

Women are competing hard, and at times harder than men to prove themselves. They are probably doing it because they are finding the challenge quite adrenalizing that they are able to hold power and control and get recognised for the same.

The traditional roles are taking new shapes, though not breaking down completely, but yes, women are now in a way showing their testosteron levels too which for the rural or the not so savvy India is new and very strange, but for the grade A and B cities, women have arrived in their new avataar.

The flip side now
- biologically women still are designed for child bearing and rearing - metamorphism and nature is not going to change them radically any sooner.
- growing stress, artifical enhancements to retain their looks and grace and maintain their desirability is on the rise
- competition is now not just between women but between women and men too, and women do not think twice now to resort to means to gain the upper hand

These and some more factors are changing the way the games are being played in corporate India.

but the emotional competence factor for women is definitely the USP that they can use effectively to retain their grace, poise and position in the society. Men are still babies in this aspect.

But the society still needs a lot of growth and change and maturity to accept women for who they are and for the individuals they are than the 'objectification' the society is used to subject them to. This aspect has to change sooner than later so that women also contribute more effectively to the nation's growth.

Change in attitude has to come at multiple levels simultaneously. Today, only in Bombay can women feel safer compared to other cities, late in the night. All other cities are not so safe for them. Such an attitude change not only comes with rapid industrialization but also by the fact that when more and more women folk are out there, men get used to seeing them more frequently in different stages. As a result, the sexual underpinings and aggression that men tend to show for women gets soothed indirectly. As a result, the nature of men mellows out and they tend to accept women around them.

But to some extent, this also depends on the psyche of the locals. In cities like Delhi, given the psyche of the locals is that of power, aggression and desperate struggle for one-upmanship at all levels, women are much at risk in a variety of ways as is seen in the news articles day in and out.

But given the resilience that women grow up with, they find it easier to deal with aggression and with such change than men. This leads to certain psychological changes that they can cause around them.

There is much to share and discuss in this space. Esp. incubation and growth of women only companies, the cultural differences and alikeness of women from different states of India, their life style patterns and choices, and now even considering that they are chosing their own partners in more ways than one with an increasing ease, even in gender selection for partners.

These things are subtle but they are very key aspects of social changes that women bring in and India is at the brink of a huge change if women can really come out and bring out their complete persona into the workforce...

Do drop in your comments and thoughts about your experiences and observations about the growing women work force of India.

May the force be with them :)