India, March 8 -- The United Nations' theme for the International Women's Day (observed March 8) is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress". Among political parties in India, a consensus along these lines seems to be taking root. Cash support for women, among other benefits, has become a necessary poll plank for parties. The Delhi Budget announcement of such a handout to those whose incomes are below the taxable threshold was in the vein of similar guarantees being implemented in Telangana and Karnataka. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress, and a host of other parties made similar promises in key states in the last round of assembly elections. Apart from cash support, free bus travel can be availed in Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Punjab. Some states are offering gas subsidies, given over the benefits under the Centre's Ujjwala Yojana. And the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in Bengal has just announced higher honoraria for Asha and Anganwadi workers. Indeed, Mamata Banerjee's TMC and the AIADMK under Jayalalithaa have been pioneers of women-centric welfare. At the national level, the BJP has preferred more spectacular offers through its Nari Shakti messaging that dovetails benefits, women-centric legislation including reservation for women in Parliament, and credit mobilisation to women's collectives....