NEW PRESIDENT Pratibha Patil is India’s first woman President ratibha Devisingh Patil made history as she took oath as India’s first woman P President on July 25, committing her- self to work for the well-being of its citizens and setting an agenda for the nation on issues such as women’s empowerment, mod- ern education and inclusive growth. Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 72-year-old Patil, who barely two months ago, may not have even dreamt that she was going to occupy the top post that would make her preside over the affairs of the world’s largest democracy. Patil symbolically exchanged the presiden- tial seat with outgoing president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as a 21-gun salute boomed to announce the installation of the nation’s 12th president. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Leader Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan administering the oath of office to new President Pratibha Patil. of Opposition L.K. Advani, United development of science and technology and Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Pratibha Patil’s profile the necessity of balanced development. Sonia Gandhi and senior cabinet ministers, ratibha Devisingh Patil, born on “It should be our combined endeavour to governors and MPs attended the function. PDecember 19, 1934, is the 12th sustain (economic) growth and ensure that it The ceremony, at the majestic Central Hall President of India. She is the first woman is socially inclusive. We must ensure that of Parliament House, was also attended by and the first Maharashtrian to hold this every section of our society — particularly two former prime ministers, Atal Bihari post. Patil, a member of the Indian the weak and the disadvantaged — are equal Vajpayee and I.K. Gujral, and dozens of for- National Congress, was nominated by the partners in, and beneficiaries of the develop- eign diplomats. ruling United Progressive Alliance and ment process.” Also present were Patil’s family members, Indian Left. A trained lawyer, Patil repre- In a tacit admission that her journey to including her husband Devisingh Ransingh sented Edlabad constituency in Jalgaon dis- Rashtrapati Bhavan has been sudden and Shekhawat as well as her daughter and son trict as a member of the Maharashtra unexpected, she said: “I am fully aware of the with their families. Legislative Assembly (1962-1985) before great responsibilities placed on my humble The ceremony began with both Patil and becoming deputy chairperson of the Rajya shoulders.” Kalam, escorted by Chatterjee, coming into Sabha (1986-1988). She was a Member of Calling India “an ancient civilisation but a the chamber in a procession after the outgo- Parliament for Amravati in the Lok Sabha young nation”, she said: “We must all stand ing and incoming presidents had come in a (1991-1996). united in the fight against such divisive and ceremonial motorcade from Rashtrapati Patil received her M.A. from Mooljee destructive tendencies as communalism, Bhavan, the grand 340-room presidential Jaitha (M.J.) College, Jalgaon, and obtained casteism, extremism and terrorism.” palace that will be Patil’s home for the next a law degree from the Government Law The new President placed emphasis on the five years. College, Mumbai. She began her political spread of education. This was followed by Home Secretary career in 1962 at the age of 27. She became “To realise the full potential of our people, Madhukar Gupta reading out the communi- a deputy minister for education after re- we must invest in their capabilities and cation from the Election Commission about election in 1967 (in Chief Minister empower them with modern education and the election of the new president. Vasantrao Naik’s ministry). comprehensive health care. Pratibha Patil won the July 19 election In 1985, she was elected to the Rajya “We must banish malnutrition, social evils against former vice president Bhairon Singh Sabha, and served as its deputy chairper- infant mortality and female foeticide. I wish Shekhawat. son from November 1986 to November to express my full commitment to the protec- In her speech, delivered both in English 1988. tion of child rights,” she said. and Hindi, Patil demanded “socially inclu- In November 2004, Pratibha Patil was Patil stressed the need to protect the plan- sive” economic growth and hit out at “com- appointed the Governor of Rajasthan. She et and the environment. munalism” as she made her maiden political was the first woman Governor of Rajasthan. “I am deeply committed to the cause of statement. With Pratibha Patil as Governor, Rajasthan education and would like to see every per- She in some ways set an agenda for the had women in three significant positions of son, man and woman... be touched by the nation, talking about the need to empower power in the state, including Chief Minister light of modern education. Empowerment of women, introduce modern education in areas Vasundhara Raje and Assembly Speaker women is particularly important to me as I that don’t have them, inculcate scientific Sumitra Singh. believe this leads to the empowerment of the temper and stressed on the need for greater nation.” ! h t t p : / / m e a k a b u l . n i c . i n I N D I A R E V I E W S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7 3