Government ropes in woman power

It's raining women in the UPA government regime, at least as far as top government jobs are concerned. In its second stint, the UPA is trying to outdo its own performance as far as breaking glass ceiling is concerned.

Earlier, they appointed the first woman President, then came the first woman Speaker, and now, there is news that Nirupama Rao will be the new Foreign Secretary -- only the second woman to get the post.

Also, India will get its first woman Additional Solicitor General in Indira Jaisingh.

It means that for the first time a female lawyer will be arguing the government's cases in the court, but apart from that the government has also sent a message with its other appointments.

Clearly, it's time to carve new paths. With Ms Jaisingh's appointment came the news that the government has decided to drop those who gave Quattrocchi the clean chit -- Additional Solicitor Generals B Datta and KP Pathak.

As the appointments committee is yet to sign on the dotted line, neither Ms Jaisingh nor Ms Rao are reacting yet. And the government insiders deny that it is mere tokenism.

With a record 59 women MPs and the Women's Reservation Bill on the way, it may turn out to be a woman's world after all.