ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a comprehensive account of diversity in India in social, educational and industrial sectors. acing the genesis of gender inequality, the chapter highlights that in the ancient Vedic era women enjoyed equal status with men in social, religious and educational matters and a woman had the choice to select their life partner from amongst eligible bachelors. It defines the measures to mitigate the inequality of women in India so that they are able to optimally utilize their potential and rise to board-level positions. Corporate India requires giving serious thought to inclusion of gender diversity on the company board if the objective of the proposed Companies Bill is to be achieved. The foreign rule in the country, the revolutionary change in education system, changing social roles for women, dowry system, rural-urban differences in infrastructure and socio-economic realities pushed the women behind leading to disparities not only in gender ratio but also in nature and level of education and employment.
