761 words essay on Pratibha Devi Singh Patel the 13th president of India

Indian politics has shown and proved the philosophies of real democratic ideals. Its constitution propounds the ideals of equality of rights for all its citizens. In the changing face of advancement of age women have grown to be a prominent asset of the society. We have witnessed some women of charishmatic talent taking part in our freedom struggle. The nomination of Mrs. Pratibha Patil for the post of Indian President is really a great leap for the politics of India. Pratibha Patil, a woman of Maharashtrian 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 19th December, 1934 in Nadgaon of Maharashtra. Her father was Narayan Pagloo Rao. She got her school education at R.R. School, Jalgaon. Thereafter she got the M.A. degree from North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon and her degree in law from the University of Bombay.

In 1962 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 Ramsingh Shekhawat on July 7, 1965.

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 Got, 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 Sabha. 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 calibered 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 Shekhawat, the then Vice-President of India.

Mrs. Patil’s nomination created as great furore among the politicians. Many charges of corruption were levelled against her. There were also views that women should not be given such a great responsibility. However defeating all charges and controversies Mrs. Patil could succeed in getting the high profile job and won the game miraculously with a huge margin.

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 Mrs. Patil has proclaimed in her first speech as a President she would bring down a number of changes 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 has 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 has taken the image of the President to such a high level that it becomes really challenging for anyone to stand on that platform.

Mrs. Patil, as the President of India, has achieved a great height. She has made many promises. Promises alone can’t change the face of India or the Indian women. Still it is a long way to go. People of India specially the women of India see a new future with the first unconventional head of the nation.

But a profound politician and educationist Mrs. Patil would certainly at least try to maintain the gravity of the past-it is earnestly hoped for. Let us wait and watch.