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Originally posted by The Wizard of Socialism:
Congratulations to India's first woman President, Pratibha Patil.

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First elected to a state legislature at age 27 while still in college, she married at age 30 but kept her own name, having already been elected under it. A cabinet minister at 37, she has never lost an election. She went on to hold office at every level: national upper house, national lower house, and state governor. She has been elected president with the support of both the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance and the Left parties.

"President" in Hindi is "Rashtrapati." So what is a woman president called? Rashtrapatni? Rashtrapramukh? Rashtradhyaksh? or perhaps Rashtramata or Rashtrastree.

A firm believer in women's causes and a tireless champion of spreading education among girls, Ms. Patil believes that education among women will only enhance their respect and generate awareness for social causes.

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As one who always stands for a better deal for women — she says this is essential for the progress of the nation — Ms. Patil has played an active role in checking evils such as female foeticide and dowry.

In speeches at universities, colleges and schools in Rajasthan over the past three years, she has spoken about these causes in an attempt to generate awareness among students so that they play constructive and positive roles in shaping the future of the country.

She played a lead role in setting up educational institutes for the poor in Maharashtra. She also set up an industrial training school for the visually impaired, besides organising vocational classes for poor and needy women.

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(This is how Canada might elect a Governor-General if we wanted to.)

[ 21 July 2007: Message edited by: Wilf Day ]