'We're women, we're young and we're happy' is the anthem of the now generation. And quite contrary to what the opposite sex might think, it does not take diamonds, a swanky car or a beachhouse to make a woman happy. It's those little things that bring on the sunshine... a warm hug from her beloved, a heart-to-heart with a pal, losing an inch from her waist...

Happiness Is Not A Destination. It Is A Method Of Life
So what makes a woman happy? As sociologist Susan Vishwanathan from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) points out, "Women who have autonomy and are free to make their choices are probably happier than men primarily because those choices have been fought for and won after very recent battles. Women are happy to be out at work and cope with responsibilities at home and work. I think they count these as major victories."

Is it that sense of being able to steer their lives on their chosen tracks that makes them happy? Yes, more than ever. Preeta Verghese Arora, communications professional, Faculty for Management Studies, Pune, is clear that, "At the right time in life, I was able to take a call on what my priorities were. There was the total conviction that I wanted the best of all the worlds - family, career, relationships and of course, time for myself as a thinking individual."

Preeta is not the only one taking a call on what she wants in life. Bangalore's Susan George has reason to crow as, "I've succeeded since I've managed to get away from Kerala to come and study in Bangalore. It has been exhilarating." For 25-year-old Delhi journalist Sanghita Singh, happiness equates with being independent, meeting her deadlines and at the end of the day, being responsible for herself. Happiness for women, she believes, also comes from having come to terms with themselves and not needing any man to feel happy...

And valuing the small things... Like "When my little daughter sends me an e-mail, or when my dog cuddles up near my feet at night or when my mother calls to chat," says Radhika Dossa, 29-year-old ad filmmaker, hotelier and casting director, Pune, or "if I get back home and find my mom's cooked my favourite 'rajma' or my dad's got me flowers," says Shruti Chauhan.

It Is Not How Much We Have, But How Much We Enjoy...
A woman has never had it so good before. Says Deeksha Nath, "It's a very exciting time to be a woman; everything we do is applauded. For men, the situation is the same as it always was!" Adds 25-year-old Red FM radio jockey Safia Ally, "Women can express themselves more. Things which were taboo earlier are so normal today, part of everybody's lives and easily accepted - whether it is how you dress, where you work or alternative professions which have become quite popular with women." For Priyanka Vir, being part of a 'cooler' age where it is okay to hang out at pubs and not be misunderstood and where parents are fine with late homecoming or trying out things, definitely adds to the highs.

Shruti Chauhan believes that today, there are ample opportunities for women and they don't feel stifled about anything. Above all, parents are more supportive than ever before... When Shruti opted for modelling, her parents didn't say an outright no. Instead, a discussion followed and it "worked out fine".

Sociologist Patricia Oberoi says that a probable reason why "young women are feeling a greater sense of satisfaction today as compared to their mothers and grandmothers," is because on the two crucial fronts for young women - choice of career and choice of partner - they're deriving a sense of both, freedom and protection. On these two major issues, she says, parents are willing to broaden their views and children are willing to accommodate their parents. In India, she says, people don't want complete freedom; they prefer it when it comes with certain guarantees and protection.

As Deeksha says, "We are constantly pushing boundaries and feeling empowered. We are going into areas we haven't gone before. Perhaps that's why we're happier!"