Sixty years after gaining independence from British rule, India considered the world's largest democratic country - selected its first woman president in a landmark, if not somewhat controversial elections held last July 21, 2007.
Pratibha Patil won by as much as two-thirds of the votes from an electoral college comprised by members of the federal Parliament and state legislative bodies. The 72-year old lawyer and former governor of the northern state of Rajasthan was the candidate of the governing party and was reportedly handpicked personally by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. She bested her rival opposition party Bharatiya Janata candidate, 84 year-old Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who was then India's incumbent Vice-President. Mrs. Patil was quoted as saying, "this is a victory for the principles which our Indian people uphold."
Although a historical moment in the annals of Indian governance, it is commonly viewed by analysts that the post of the president is by large a ceremonial title. Nevertheless, in a highly stratified society, where gender discrimination is deeply rooted in culture, Mrs. Patil's presidency still bears political significance especially among the women sector, which hopes that President Patil can make positive changes for India's disadvantaged women.
Pratibha Patil will hold her post as President of the Indian Republic for the next 5 years. Her duties include oversight functions as Head of State and the encompassing power to reform the government in the event of a hung Parliament. She will also be the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the primary guardian of the Constitution.
She will succeed outgoing President Abdul Kalam who was regarded as the People's President during his term. Despite being a popular leader Mr. Kalam was denied a second 5-year term by Congress. He was a scientist who became a national hero for spearheading nuclear tests and helped in making India a nuclear power in 1988.
In contrast, Pratibha Patil was marred with bitter criticisms and mudslinging during the campaign period with the opposition throwing allegations of corruption and fraud against her. She was virtually unknown at the national level and its been said that she would not be nominated had it not been for the vote of confidence from the Gandhis who remain India's most powerful political family. There were questions of irregularities and nepotism with the documented closure of a women's cooperative bank she helped setup. Her detractors also brought to light criminal cases, one involving her brother and another with her husband, with the implication that she exerted political influence to protect them. Mrs. Patil was also referenced on being critical against the wearing of headscarves and veils for women, which did not please the Muslim community in India.
It remains to be seen whether India's first woman president will be able to perform as unbiased and non-partisan as the recent presidents before her, what with the perceived strong backing of the ruling coalition behind her momentous victory.
Pratibha Patil won by as much as two-thirds of the votes from an electoral college comprised by members of the federal Parliament and state legislative bodies. The 72-year old lawyer and former governor of the northern state of Rajasthan was the candidate of the governing party and was reportedly handpicked personally by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. She bested her rival opposition party Bharatiya Janata candidate, 84 year-old Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who was then India's incumbent Vice-President. Mrs. Patil was quoted as saying, "this is a victory for the principles which our Indian people uphold."
Although a historical moment in the annals of Indian governance, it is commonly viewed by analysts that the post of the president is by large a ceremonial title. Nevertheless, in a highly stratified society, where gender discrimination is deeply rooted in culture, Mrs. Patil's presidency still bears political significance especially among the women sector, which hopes that President Patil can make positive changes for India's disadvantaged women.
Pratibha Patil will hold her post as President of the Indian Republic for the next 5 years. Her duties include oversight functions as Head of State and the encompassing power to reform the government in the event of a hung Parliament. She will also be the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the primary guardian of the Constitution.
She will succeed outgoing President Abdul Kalam who was regarded as the People's President during his term. Despite being a popular leader Mr. Kalam was denied a second 5-year term by Congress. He was a scientist who became a national hero for spearheading nuclear tests and helped in making India a nuclear power in 1988.
In contrast, Pratibha Patil was marred with bitter criticisms and mudslinging during the campaign period with the opposition throwing allegations of corruption and fraud against her. She was virtually unknown at the national level and its been said that she would not be nominated had it not been for the vote of confidence from the Gandhis who remain India's most powerful political family. There were questions of irregularities and nepotism with the documented closure of a women's cooperative bank she helped setup. Her detractors also brought to light criminal cases, one involving her brother and another with her husband, with the implication that she exerted political influence to protect them. Mrs. Patil was also referenced on being critical against the wearing of headscarves and veils for women, which did not please the Muslim community in India.
It remains to be seen whether India's first woman president will be able to perform as unbiased and non-partisan as the recent presidents before her, what with the perceived strong backing of the ruling coalition behind her momentous victory.
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