Hyderabad, April 16 -- Praising the Women's Reservation Bill as a historic step towards gender equality, Padma Shri awardee and eminent Kuchipudi exponent Deepika Reddy expressed pride and optimism, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the initiative and calling it a long-awaited reality for Indian women.

Reacting to the move, Reddy said the bill would expand women's role beyond local bodies to Parliament, calling it a natural progression in India's democratic framework.

Speaking about the development and her recent participation at the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan' at Vigyan Bhawan, Reddy highlighted the significance of women's representation in policymaking at the national level.

"Today I'm feeling so happy, and there is so muc...