Far away from the heated demonstrations and raging politics in Kashmir and in Jammu, a silent revolution is in the offing in the Kargil district of Ladakh in J&K. Governed by the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil is going for second LAHDC polls son. The tension is palpable but what is striking is that for the first time a woman is in the fray among 237 candidates for 26 seats of councillors. 
        Taking on the system is not easy particularly for a woman but Zahira Bano decided to contest from Trespone of Suru valley. The constituency is considered to be the stronghold of Aghas and Shiekhs, Shia religious leaders who according to Zahira impose on women strict established social with only the role of reproduction to play. I have been to Delhi, Bombay, Jaipur, nowhere you find such a state of women as you find in Kargil reeling under a society suppressive towards women. Even in Iran they
talk openly about women's rights in their parliament and there is no pressure as such, I have seen it in cassette films.'' rules and faith. She believes that women deserve a better deal and is determined to emancipate them from the clutches of orthodox and conservative society they are living in.
    39-year old Zahira says, ''Women have been relegated to do household drudgery like donkeys with only the role of reproduction to play. I have been to Delhi, Bombay,  Jaipur, nowhere you find such a state of women as you find in Kargil
reeling under a society suppressive towards women. Even in Iran they talk openly about women's rights in their parliament and there is no pressure as such, I have seen it in cassette films.''