SO this is an issue celebrating I Day. The day, when 57 years ago, India won the bloodless fight for freedom and could call herself free.

WHEN, I wonder, will the woman of India be able to call herself free? Some day in this millennium, I hope.

TO me, real freedom for women will come when:

o EVERY girl child has the right to food, at least as much as the others in her home, and that includes her father and her brother.

o EVERY girl has the right to go to school. She will not have to fear being pulled out of class because she has to work, or look after her little brother or sister, or because she is not worth wasting money on; after all, she will marry and go away.

o EVERY young woman has a right to education. Whether it is formal or applied, it should be able to help make her independent enough to stand on her own feet, and earn her living whether the immediate need exists or not.

o EVERY woman, regardless of social standing, rich or poor, should have the right to work, and the right to decide her area of work - be it from home or the office, be it a business venture or a white collar job.

o EVERY woman, regardless of age, should have the right to safety. To be protected against harassment from males in the office, at home, in public places, everywhere, and anywhere.

o EVERY woman should have the right to be free of the fear of domestic violence.

o EVERY woman should have the right to negotiate her sexual life, and the right to exercise her right to protection from Reproducive Tract Infections (RTIs) and HIV and pregnancies.

o EVERY woman should have the right to say 'No' to an amniocentesis test if her family insists on it, and the right to bear her child even if she knows it is female.

o EVERY woman should have the right to demand that the housework and childrearing duties be shared... either by her man, or by all members of her family.

o EVERY woman has a right to equality in the work place, and not be considered the earner of a second salary and thus given second place to a man who is in line with her.

o EVERY woman has a right to follow her religion without persecution or force from her family or community. She has the right to choose to change her religious calling, should she so desire.

o EVERY woman has the right to dress as she finds fit, and not be forced to conform to man-made laws of clothing and decorum. Her mode of dress should not be viewed as provocation.

o EVERY woman has the right to political power, if her capabilities lie in that direction.

o EVERY woman has the right to her opinions and preferences, be they political, religious, social or otherwise.

o EVERY woman has the right to dream...of happiness, success, achievement. And work towards making her dreams come true.

o EVERY woman has the right to help decide her child's future.

OF course we all know that these rights and their complementary freedoms are guaranteed to all of us women by the Constitution of India, which is, even by global standards, a document that was ahead of its time in terms of ascertaining the right of all citizens to equality, liberty and safety.

YET the women of India are waiting...for their turn at being free.