[sadhuji]

2007 has seen several faces of the Indian women. While there were those who took the law into their own hands and meted out punishment to antisocial elements, there came on the scene women cab drivers and women ticket checkers in trains.  Then there were some cases of girls refusing to marry because the bride groom’s side had demanded dowry. There also were unfortunate cases of victims of the negligence of BPO employers that resulted in horrifying deaths.

However, there were other Indian women who were in the news for specific reasons. On top of the list would be the name of the fire brand Trinamool leader Mamata Banerjee who continues to her fight against acquisition of land by industries. Her agitation does not seem to end and Nadigram, Khejuri and Singur have become household names all across the world.

Another political leader in the limelight was Mayawati, the CM of UP who returned to power claiming absolute majority in the state elections. She conceptualized a new form of coalition politics where she had in her folds reps from all sections of society – the plan was successful.

Shilpa Shetty, the film actress, won the Big Brother title in England - when everybody presumed her to be a spent force, she received a new lease of life.

Suneeta Williams, the second NASA astronaut of Indian origin who stayed for a record number of days in space came down to visit India.

Pratibha Patil became the first woman President of India at the age of 73 and Jhulan Goswami the speedster cricketer from Bengal was honored as the woman cricketer of the year by ICC. Dola Bandopadhaya the archer won the world championship in archery and received the Arjun award. Finally, there was Priyanka Todi, the daughter of a well known business man of Kolkata, whose husband Rizwan died under mysterious circumstances leaving her a widow within a few days of marriage. The death saw a major shakeup in the Kolkata Police department.

[frostykathy]

That is quite the list. Wasn't aware of most of them. Additionally I guess Aishwarya Rai has been pretty (no pun intended) present western media on account of her western movies.

She is an admirable woman of exceptional beauty and purity. Amazing.