The First Lady President : Pratibha Patil

By Kumar Pankaj ; Ayushma Sharma

The emergence of Madame Pratibha Patil as the first woman president of India had been a historic moment of great consequence. Bearing as the eminent personality representing the common man with distinct identity, she had a glorious innings proportional to the stupendous personality. Born on September 19, 1934, Pratibha was an exemplary child. She excelled in sports as well as studies. She had been a winner in various walks of life rather a perfectionist to the core. She practiced law after graduation and followed the footsteps of her father. Sooner, her career swung into action mobilizing her to study the problems ailing common man. No doubt, Pratibha had a sensitive heart, which binds her with the world of literature forever. She scribbles her thoughts in the form of poetry quite frequently. She had been inquisitive and blessed with sharp logical mind, which assists her to trod the path of Truth. She had an inclination to join politics following her practice of law. She became the legislator for the state of Maharashtra (1962), governor of the state of Rajasthan (2004) and reached the covetous position of the president of Indian Democratic Republic. Abiding by the principles of polity, with an eclectic fervour for justice and progress in heart, Smt. Pratibha Patil has an extraordinary vision which, when bonded with capabilities, ensures her for positive development. Honourable Pratibha Patil’s journey from childhood to the portals of Rashtrapati Bhawan, had been an inspiration for women to achieve empowerment within the framework of Constitution. Indeed, this historic event is a welcome glory for the nation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond Books
• Release date: Jun 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9789350830130

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PART- I

1

Honour And Pride Bestowed On The Fair Race

When Pratibha Patil became the first female president of India on Saturday, the election result was described as the most historic step forward for women in the world's most populous democracy. With this victory, her name gets updated and included in the list of those five Asian women Presidents who have reached the pinnacles through their sheer dexterity and skills and have become a source of pride and honour to half the population of earth i.e. women. Asian countries, hitherto considered backward, have once again established the sovereignty of woman power in their societies. On this account at least, Asia has since long left America behind where no woman has till date been elected to the country's topmost post of President despite its long democratic history. In fact, they are still debating over the issue. It is now that a strong woman contender in the face of Hilary Rotham Clinton has come forth. Though the office of the Indian President has limited powers and functions when compared with its American counterpart, but it is Still a very significant office, constitutionally; more so in this age of coalitions.

It is not that a woman candidate had been nominated for the premier post for the first time in the history of this nation but the prospects of Pratibha Patil to occupy the august post were sparkling with success from the very onset. Left had fielded freedom fighter Lakshmi Sehgal in 2002, who had contested against President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Kalam became the eleventh president of India and the third Muslim to occupy the august chair with 922,884 votes while Sehgal got just 107,366 votes. Moreover, in the fourth presidential election too, that were held in 1967, another woman - Manohara Holkar - had tried her luck individually to get to the Rashtrapati Bhavan for the first time. But amongst the eight candidates, she could not manage to get a single vote. Eminent scholar Dr. Zakir Hussain then became the third president of India who was also the first Muslim to occupy the highest constitutional office. The second woman candidate was Furcharan Kaur, who took on V. V. Giri in 1969 and finished fifth among 15 candidates. Kaur got 940 and Giri won with 401,515 votes making the fourth president for the country.

Thus, it is in the light of these facts, that Pratibha Patil's election becomes eminent; the chosen UPA nominee for the post of President. Her presidency also reflects the growing power of women in India. This is a very special moment for women, and men of course, in our country because for the first time we have a woman being elected president of India, Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi, India's most powerful politician, had said.

Though India and its neighbouring countries, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have all had women Prime Ministers but it is only four women who have had the privilege of being placed as Presidents of their country. Philippines stands at the top in this matter as it was the first country to enlist a woman President in Asia where Corazone Aquino was gratified with Presidentship from 1986 to 1992. When Chandrika Kumaratunga was installed at the post of President in Sri Lanka in 1994, she created a new milestone in the world by being the first woman to be at the helm of affairs of a country and the first person ever in any democracy to occupy both the offices consecutively i.e. that of the Prime Minister and thereafter of the President one after another being constitutionally elected by the people. She remained as the President till 2005. Her achievement gets more stupendous and amazing in the light of the fact that she got elected through democratic means and popular mandate to both the posts. Philippines has once again elected a woman as President when Maria Gloria Macpagle Arroyo became the President in 2001. Indonesia fostered the list by adding the name of fourth woman President of Asia and its first woman President to it who was none other than Megawati Sukarnoputri. If we look at the list of women Presidents in the world since 1945, many interesting facets are brought before us. Though, a woman was never manifestly elected in Taiwan to the prestigious post yet Sung Klingiing took charge of affairs as working National Head from October 1968 to February 1972. Maria Estella Isabelle Martinez de Perot donned the office of the President of Argentina from 1974 to 1976. Estella was the first woman President of the American sub-continent. Another interesting stigma attached to her is that she was also the first woman President to be ousted of power through a military coup. Wiqdis Finnabogadottir became the first woman President of Europe when she was elected as the President of Iceland. She looked after this charge from 1980 to 1996. She is also credited with being the first woman President who took to the highest constitutional office by being directly elected by the people.

Pratibha tai's success story has become a phenomenal example not only in India but throughout the world. According to the ever delightful Congress, Pratibha's stature as the first ever woman president of India is a true symbol of women's empowerment in India and a manifestation of whatever we had promised to women decades ago. It portrays the ongoing success in women's emancipation in the social scenario as well as economic work field. It is not that deserving women earlier did not make their presence felt for this post but as they say, all is fair in the tumultuous political games. As it is, the interplay of various cross-currents has continued to enliven the political scenario in India, at times, even springing surprises. Pratibha Patil's choice may only be the latest example. But it has enabled the ending of an era of male domination in Rashtrapati Bhawan and also tottering the stronghold of male bastion i.e. Presidency when Congress catapulted this reticent lady as their candidate. Today, women are stepping out their traditional submission and are busy spreading the fragrance of their sensational accomplishments.

While some see her victory as an important step towards gender equality in India, many view it as only a symbolic gesture. It is undoubtedly encouraging for other women who want to step out of their homes and make something out of their careers or do something in the world. Millions of women in India face discrimination and poverty which is linked to age-old traditions. She is now occupying the highest position. It is the dawn of a new era and our President would have to be prepared for fresh challenges, accept them with commitment especially the paving of way for solutions related to women's causes.

Women are no longer lagging behind and this can be emphatically stated after Pratibha tai's victory and her becoming the President of the largest democracy of the world. Despite all bottlenecks created by opposition parties to stop her from contesting the presidential election as an UPA-Left alliance candidate, Pratibha Patil fought and finally emerged as a winner. This is a great accomplishment for Indian women since she is the first woman President of India. Although, it is a well-known fact that we have tried a lot to promote women of India in every field be it defence, health, sports, politics, entertainment or literature, this is one of the best examples of that.

The world's super power now has a woman running for the post of President. But we Indians have already provided an opportunity to a woman to occupy the highest constitutional post of the country. Still it is unfortunate that even after sixty years of Independence, women are not getting the respect they deserve. Economic independence is a pre-requisite for women empowerment. In the beginning of the 21st century itself, India had declared the year 2001 as the Year for Women's Empowerment. Since then, as a consequence, women have proliferated into every foray and achieved magnificent success.

While there have been a few women presidential nominees before, as discussed earlier, yet Patil is the first woman to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Her presidency also reflects the growing power of women in various sectors in India, where an increasing number are taking part in the workforce and in schools and hold senior positions in corporations. Yet, a woman is murdered, raped or abused every three minutes on average in India.

Does, therefore, the rise of Mrs. Pratibha Patil to this office represent any significant change especially for the Indian woman, who often also happens to be the global face of repressed woman? Or, is it merely, as the critics have pointed out, symbolism on the fore, yet once more?

Now, the answer to the first question: is this merely a symbolic gesture as far as women are concerned? Yes, it is a symbol, but a powerful symbol. Remember, symbols and artifacts represent cultures and cultures do not change overnight. This does not reduce their importance, however. The longest journey begins with a small step. If you ever wanted to be reminded of the power of symbols just think of Mahatma Gandhi. Breaking a small law, Salt Act in 1930, for example, initiated a major movement that ultimately led to India's independence. All major achievements are the result of the first step.

Second, more significantly, symbols have meaning only in how they are interpreted. What did each of these women; Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Chandrika Kumaratunga, Sheikh Hasina, Khalida Begum, and Rabri Devi represent to the masses? They present the face of their respective political clan before they present the face of a woman. Mrs. Patil is a novelty in this respect at the very least. She does not hail from a political or any other clan, and that makes her elevation an even more powerful symbol. Yes, she perhaps lacks a national stature but she was a governor of a state and before that a cabinet minister in another state, so she is not a political novice. Is that not enough?

She may not agreeably be the best choice, or the factors that lead to her election may have more to do with her loyalty than capability or that it is not going to transform the lives of Indian women tomorrow or any time soon- notwithstanding all these qualifications, it still is a significant step for the Indian republic and half its population! The image of a woman as the head of state, the image of a woman receiving all heads of states, the image of a woman receiving salutes from contingent after contingent of police and armed forces on the historic Raj Path each Republic Day is a powerful image, the one that cannot but leave a long lasting impression and the one that cannot but hasten the march toward gender equality.

Critics have been swift in dismissing her but let us risk playing the devil's advocate. First, let's look at the charges against Patil: corruption, lack of national stature and being a puppet in the dynastic politics.

BJP, the opposition party alleged that a sugar cooperative, she was whose chairman, defaulted on the repayment of agricultural loans to the bank. In three decades of politics, if that indeed is the most serious corrupt act she was ever involved in; she must rank among the cleanest Indian politicians! It is a sad reflection on our politics but unfortunately it is true. Given our electoral system that emphasizes spending huge sums of unaccounted money, honest politicians are a rare exception. For most, political office is an investment that needs to be harvested once elected. In such a scenario, if all Patil has done is to let a cooperative default on loans to another cooperative, she must be very clean.

First the puppet PM, now the puppet President has been the war cry of the opposition. Indeed, Dr. Manmohan Singh was handpicked by the government and perhaps he would have to go as and when Mrs. Gandhi so desires. In fact, if she turns out half as good as Dr. Singh, she would have vindicated herself.

South Asia has had perhaps the highest number of women heads of governments and States, both at federal and provincial level, and yet the status for the women in society continues to be very low. There is some truth to it. However, two points need to be illustrated. First, can anyone really argue that the position of women has not changed in the Indian society over last 50 years? Look around yourself and you will find perceptible improvements in all walks of life from workplace to home and from politics to business.

Though the victory of Pratibha Patil is being considered synonymous to a step forward towards the upliftment of women in India, we should not forget that we are still struggling with social problems like female foeticide and crimes against women. Pratibha Patil can influence the areas affecting status of women in the society. She can influence the role of Government media to enhance the image of women, culminating in due respect for women in the society acting within the power, she gets as president.

Women's rights advocates expect that Patil's election to this mainly ceremonial role will further the social, political, and economic advancement of women and girls in India, which is desperately needed in this country where women are grossly discriminated against. Many families in India are expected to pay large dowries upon the marriage of their daughters, and, as a result of parents’ limiting the education of girl children, some 40 percent of women in India cannot read or write. Patil had launched her presidential campaign earlier with tremendous support from women. She had further stated that women are the backbone of every home and they contributed greatly to the progress and development of the nation. She had time and again also underlined the role of women in the freedom struggle and described how even during independence struggle, women had contributed greatly and faced lathis and bullets even while feeding their families.

Throughout my life, I have worked for the empowerment of women and this is a proud moment. It has been my privilege to serve society in many ways and capacities in the past 55 years, she had then opined. The nation is built on the body of the woman, on her labour, on her sacrifice.

Isn't it amazing to hear a mainstream presidential candidate speak on it so candidly! Her views and statements do reflect her sensitivity to the fate of her own race.

Women have understood their inherent powers and potential. They have evolved by generating the awareness and intelligence to follow the path to progress and knew