It is official. Pratibha Patil is the thirteenth President of India.
Yes, there were last minute allegations against her. Yes there were unnecessary faux pas in the run up to the Presidential election. And, yes, the opponent, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was seen as a man who could garner support cutting across party lines.
But there never was any doubt that Patil will emerge triumphant.
She had all the things going for her from the time she was nominated.
Loyalty to the Gandhi family. Tick.
Acceptable to the Left. Tick.
India's first woman President. Tick.
Numbers by her side. Tick.
And thus on the evening of July 21, confirmation came in.
As she prepares to take charge, join us in congratulating India's first woman President.
While you are at it, feel free to share your thoughts about arguably India's most charismatic President, who will exit Rashtrapati Bhavan with, in his own words, two small suitcases. Tell us what you think about Avul Pakir Jainulabdin Abdul Kalam, here.
