KOZHIKODE: Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been named as the \'Woman of the Decade\' in an online survey conducted by leading Malayalam daily, the Mathrubhumi\'s women\'s online site on the occasion of the world\'s Women�s Day. Sonia Gandhi secured 53% votes in the survey conducted by the daily\'s \'mb4eves.com\' followed by Mayilamma, the woman activist who spearheaded the agitation against soft drink major Coca Cola over the exploitation of underground water at Plachimada in Palakkad district of Kerala. While Mayilamma received 13% votes, Indian-American astronomer Sunita Williams bagged the third spot with 9% votes, according to the website. The \'iron lady\' of Manipur, Irom Sharmila, pooled 8.5% votes and President Pratibha Singh Patil with 6% votes came fourth and fifth respectively. Among those who secured a place in the list are badminton champion Saina Nehwal (4%), Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai (3%) and tennis star Sania Mirza (2%).

There is something different about Mamta Mohandas. Not only does the svelte actor ooze style and sophistication in front of the camera but going by the number of hits she has had on the top of the charts in Tamil and Telugu, she has also proved her talent as a singer. And the year 2010 could well be the year when she finally gets her due in Malayalam cinema. Lined up are three films that have her in the lead, including an untitled one directed by Satyan Anthikad that will hit theatres next month.

�I am looking forward to the release of Sathyans film. I am there in almost every scene and it is a role that any leading heroine in Malayalam cinema would have jumped at the chance to do, says Mamta in an interview to Friday Review, while in Kozhikode for the shooting of the film.

�I play the role of Vidya Lakshmi who goes through some tough experiences in life only to fight back and succeed. I portray two stages of her life � as a young girl and as a mother of a four-year-old. The film has shaped up well and I am sure my efforts will be noticed. Sathyan is one of the Malayalam directors I have always wanted to work with,� adds Mamta.