Essays

Pratibha Patil, a woman of Maharashtra origin, has been elected as the 13th President of India She has made history by becoming the first woman President in the history of India.

Smt. Patil was born on 19thDecember, 1934 in Nadgaon of Maharashtra Her father was Saroyan Pagloo Rao. She got her school education at R.R. School, Jalgaon. Thereafter she got the M.A. degree from Moolji Jaitha (M.J.) College, Jalgaon which was an affiliated unit to North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon. Then she obtained her degree in law from the Government Law College, Mumbai an affiliated unit of the University of Bombay. During her college days she excelled in the table tennis and won various inter-college tournaments. In 1962 she was voted 'College Queen' of M.J. College. In the same year she began her political career by winning an assembly election from Edlabad Assembly Constituency on the Indian National Congress ticket. She was married to an educator Devisingh Ransing Shekhawat on July 7, 1965. Being active in Maharashtra politics she preferred not to take her husband's surname. The couples have a son and a daughter.

As a devoted member of Congress she has performed her duties very successfully. Till now she has carried out a number of responsibilities very sincerely. For example, she remained Deputy Minister of Public Health, Prohibition, Tourism Housing and Parliamentary affairs under the Government of Maharashtra from 1967-72. From 1972-74 she was Cabinet Minister for Social Welfare, from 1974-75 she was Cabinet Minister for Public Health and Social Welfare, from 1975-76 she was Cabinet Minister for Prohibition, Rehabilitation and Cultural affairs, from 1977-78 Cabinet Minister for Education-all under the Govt. of Maharashtra. From July 1979 to February 1980 she was the leader of opposition (CDPI), Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, from 1982-85 she was the Cabinet Minister for Urban Development and Housing, and from 1983-85 also the Cabinet Minister for Civil Supplies and Social Welfare. Thereafter, she marched towards Delhi and became Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha where she continued from Nov. 1986 to Nov. 1988. There she also carried out many other responsibilities in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabhha.

On Nov. 8. 2004 she was given the charge of Governor of Rajasthan where she continued till to her name was chosen for the post of Supreme Commander of India. She was the choice of the Congress President Mrs. Sonia Gandhi in the midst of many controversies on the selection of the name for a suitable candidate to succeed the high calibred President Dr A.P.J. Kalam. Her name was thrown like a sure shot in the name of the first woman candidate. However, she won with a margin of 3 lakh votes defeating her nearest rival Bhairo Singh Shekhawal, who was the Vice-President at that time.

She took oath of the post on 25 July, 2007 administred by the first Dalit Chief Justice of India Mr. R.G. Balakrishnan.

In a country like India where a reservation for women has always sidelined, the selection of a woman President is really a challenge. There are great aspirations as Mrs. Patil has proclaimed in her first speech as a President she would bring down a number of changes and would break many established beliefs. She would change the face of India and especially the women by creating new opportunities for them. She would not compromise to be a 'rubber stamp'. She had to face many challenges and first from her own party which is a bundle of contradictory views and a combination of two different opposing ideas. Mr. Kalam had taken the image of the President to such a high level that it becomes really challenging for anyone. But a profound politician and educationist Mrs. Patil would certainly atleast try to maintain the gravity of the past-it is earnestly hoped for. Let us wait and watch.