When I began researching the recent urban phenomenon of single women for a book, I assumed that such role models were few. After all, most researchers and reports suggested that the single woman was a contemporary trend, brought on by economic liberalization and social change. Many analysts held liberalization, satellite TV, and the Western influence responsible for the growing number of single women in India.

Yet, as I spoke to single women across the country, they all referred to role models at home. "I never thought of Americans or foreigners," says Hema. "I had a teacher in school who lived on her own although she was in her forties. She lived alone in a little house, drove a red Fiat and had short hair. Back in the sixties, in small town in Madhya Pradesh, that was a rarity. Now when I look back, I suppose I really wanted to grow up to be like her. She was beautiful and intelligent and seemed a lot happier and stress-free than all the married women around me."

Hema isn't alone in finding her role models close to home. Many women mentioned a widowed aunt, an unmarried teacher or a neighbour as their childhood ideals.