India Elected its First Woman President

In a very historical turn of an event, India elected its first woman president, Pratibha Patil, in what supporters believe would elevate the rights of millions of oppressed and downtrodden women in India.

Smt. Pratibha Patil defeated Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat by more than 3 lakhs electoral vote on the just concluded Presidential election of India.

Patil born on December 19, 1934, in Jalgaon district of Maharashtra is a qualified lawyer and has a wealth of experience as a politician and administrator.

After her service in key positions of Maharashtra Congress, she later was appointed to be the Rajasthan governor in November 2004. During her tenure as the Governor she had impressed Christians when she courageously refused to sign a controversial Anti–conversion bill that would have caused much concern for Christians.

Hearing the announcement of her presidency, Smt. Patil said, "I am grateful to the people of India and the men and women of India and this is a victory for the principles which our Indian people uphold."

To an interview with a TV news channel, Smt. Patil encouraged the people of the country to live with a sense of brotherhood amidst the various religions, castes and sects.

Congress party leader Sonia Gandhi, India's most powerful politician, said, "This is a very special moment for us women, and men of course, in our country because for the first time we have a woman being elected president of India."

Christians in India particularly women hope that the election of the new president would boost their hopes and fortify their presence in the country.