Suddenly there is commotion and everyone rushes to the door. "She is walking towards the venue," someone says.

Accompanied by shouts of 'Smriti Irani Zindabad', she enters the Panchayati Bhavan. The men accompanying her are told to stay outside as the meeting is meant for only women, but there was hardly anyone who cared about the directive.

Irani has become a 'symbol of purity', whispers one women.

While she awaits her turn to address the gathering, a little girl walks up to her to shake her hand. Irani obliges and, needless to say, the little one is thrilled.