As India gets ready for her first woman President and political alliances within and beyond the public-view brace to ensure her grand entry into the Rashtrapati Bhavan, few issues crop up in the mind of the reluctant observer.
It is of course a moment of great pride and honour for Srimati Pratibha Patil to be nominated as the UPA candidate for the Presidential elections and if all goes according to plan, she is set to be the First Citizen of the State within less than a month.
-Ostentatiously, a moment to be cheered by feminists the world over.
- A moment to mark new beginnings and if extension of imagination still be a tax-free exercise,
-A Moment of History in the making.
Still, a sense of unease seems to trouble my sensibilities as events unfold in the political circles. One of them primarily being the process of 'Selection in the event of Elimination' that was followed leading to the nomination. Isn't it a matter of imposing shame and regret that a woman who is being so eloquently praised for her political acumen and understanding was kept in the political by-lanes of anonymity by the same people who now break sweat to cobble up the numbers for her election. Isn't it a glaring incongruence to be promoting the liberal-feminist outlook of the Govt. when it actually is a consequence of rejection of five 'male' probables short-listed for the post.
Only political insiders would know the secret of the exchange of interests that took place behind closed doors leading to the nomination. But, one thing seems to be apparent. That being Mrs Patil's selection only because she proved to be a politically viable symbol to rally the allies in support. So as things stand at the moment the election is set to mark no great leap for 'womanity' of India, no revolution in the path to female emancipation, and no promotion of the unique and celebrated 'democratic traditions' of India. Rather, on close scrutiny it stands out as a strategic masterstroke and at most a decision of impeccable political tact on part of the ruling alliance.
Still, as I set aside my super-cynical (though observant and logical) approach to the Presidential nomination, at the same time, I also have immense respect for 'Individual will' and Spirit. Therefore, I hope Srimati Patil absolves herself of the last traces of political manouevering and bias while assuming the Presidential chair and do justice to the immense expectations of an emerging nation and her people. And while she strolls down the Mughal Gardens, marveling at its exotic splendour the thought of the poorest of the poor writhing unfed in some shade of an unclad roof in the heart of Kalahandi doesn't miss her mind.
I wish her all the best.
Picture- Courtesy: Hindustantimes.com
good post. I hope she does justice to her position.
the way matters are being persued , i fear,,,perhaps replacing a popular/ people’’s president ,i mean a.p.j.kalam may prove to be a costly affair to the country as a whole. god save us all i pray
another term of APJ would have been good though!
appeasement of dalits - RK Narayanan
appeasement of muslims - Abdul Kalam
appeasement of women - Pratibha
A country shining!!
I encourage you to go through blogs on similar topic (presidential polls) by Dilip Krishnan & me (besides many others with differing views).
Yours, I found a bit different than usual, nothing to go into the controversy as to who should become president but to question the intent of the people who are responsible for getting her nominated in the first place itself- very different thought.
Keep posting.
Whatever…i really dont think it makes a difference as to who becomes our President…President kalam will ontinue to enthrall, encourage and motivate Indians world over..In a way anyone would not have measured up to our APJ…even the other choice Bhairon Singh is a noone compared to APJ..so Pratibha Tai..is OK>.annother one in the good old tradition of Zail Singh..or whoever..all HER MAJESTY’’s VOICE..so it is cool..only worthy succesor could have been Narayanmurthy but then the politicians keep opposing these intellectuals as it exposes their hollowness…anyways..lets all of us be honest and sincere in what we do..as citizens..collectively we can do much more than ONE president who is elected by thousands of useless legislators…
hey! yaar to be very honest and straight forward acc. to me she’’s no match for APJ ABDUL KALAM…….he was a president in true sense, far frm politics and indeed a ppl’’s man……its unfortunate for ur country that the most important decisons taken are bcos of political benefits rather than national intrest…….
remember that…she was not the first choice of “madame sonia”….infact she is last choice.
Madam sorry about this but isnt it old fashioned these days to hype woman issues when we are all aware that Indian women have already made their mark nationally & internationally …………& when when we have more serious issues to deal with…….
I still doubt she would be one! Lets see!!
Do not get carried away by the “FEMINIST PRIDE”
Her nomination is just a game of one up-manship among the parties.
Well, If Pratibha devi Singh really loves the country, she should withdrawn her nomination in favour of Dr Kalam.
I do not think there is anybody who can replace Dr. kalam effectively at the moment. Kalam is the best suited person to occupy Rashtrpati bhawan.
Let him make histiory by getting an extension which no earlier President did.
All right thinking persons should support dr. Kalam at this crucial juncture of modern India.
hope for the best…..
Nicely written but I disagree with your support for Mrs Patil. Without taking anything away from her, she really has very little credentials. I would have been really proud of her if she rejected her nomination for the post that is currently occupied by someone who has obviously achieved so much for the country (in real terms). We owe it to ourselves that we be governed by people who have excelled in their lives - AND NOT such considerations as gender. If Indra Nooyi is nominated to this post, I would wholehearted support it, but not Mrs Patil.
Tomorrow, when it is time to replace Manmohan Singh, we should look for a leader who is atleast as accomplished! We MUST expect and demand improvement in quality at the highest levels.
i ditto ur thots!
nice write up.
valid point
Hello
I thnk plotition has made a mockery of Rashtrapati office. Mrs. Patil is a good women, but her name has been finalised beacuse UPA collution partner could not agree to other name. S o this shows the degration of our political system
bkk
Hi JS! Nice Wrtie up! It is the height of hypocracy among congressmen. Now everyone is taking pride saying that they proposed the name of women but whole nation knows that the name came up due to compulsion. Though I am not against women but still then i am at big pain when someone says elect this one because this belong to this group or caste. I respect only those women who comes up due to their efforts and merits not with the blessings of their boss( Sonia Gandhi in this case). Look at Mayawati, she could taken the two advantages( reservation and a women) but still she opted for general class leader/merit and became a leader of masses by her efforts. i like this kind of women leaders not the puppets by grace.
Waiting for the verdict…I don”t think it would be a ”Mrs. President” anyway!
Loved the tea concept!
It does matter who becomes President it their work which makes the difference if 18 yrs old girl is also more cable of being the president… she should be made… a very nice post Jessi….
Good post. apart from wishing her luck, may be we should also hope for a President who actually users some of the powers! I don”t remember when was the last time the President actually used his power for somthing meaningful (I think Zail singh and the postal bill would be an example, perhaps).. Let’’s home she doesn”t end up proving photo-ops only.
It is hard for me to digest - why it is a struggle in most countries all over the world to have a woman lead the country - either as a president of prime minister -guess it is the old boy’’s club mentality even with all the advances in the world. Guess men never want to let go and will only sway if they do not find any other alternative. It is a crying shame that it is so. From what I have seen women appear to be better than men in ruling a country. Sorry to all the guys - but that is the truth:))))))))))))))))) Very well composed post.
….was it bill crossby who used the terminology the second sex or the honorary sex…looks like the honorary sex is being considered for a honorary post…if you are really looking for a lady prez–the choice is between medha patkar or brinda karat or arundhati roy..i wouldnt opt for pratibha…she does not look healthy…i would look at some one in the peak of the career at about 50-60…intellectualy stimulating and emotionally connecting..like abdul kalam….but even the americans dont have a female prez…and they dont seem to be inclined…..your writing is different and good…do you ghost-write editorials for the newspapers..there was a problem with my server..hence the delay..
Rashtrapatni… how gross!! seriously, when will the feminists stop worrying about whether it is Chairman or Chairperson, Manager or Womanager… how ridiculous… I feel sorry for Pranab Mukerjee though.. the man who was not good enough to be PM…. and too good to be President….
Incidentally, the President is also the head of the armed forces, Supreme Commander. For my part I cant risk incur the wrath of my commander. But I definitely can comment on the manner in which the nomination took place. Firstly, some in the Sena say, she is not a pucca Marathi as she is a Gujrati Solanki with a Rajasthani husband (can you beat this instead of worrying about whether she would be able to do justice to her job, they are worried about caste and creed). Secondly, Shekhawat checkmated her by calling on her first, to avoid her playing daughter in law bit and lastly, there is a controversy on whether to call her Rashtrapati/patni or Mrs. Presidentrix. I think no one for a moment seriously wants a thinking and forward looking President, they all want a malleable President. May be like Mrs. Gandhi, she can turn the tables on all the political class and actually do something for the nation. Madam President are you listening. All the best to the first lady President .
let us hope she is eventually elected, and let us her wish her the very best…
hah….ha…ha…..ritely said by kanjoose………cheers friend..;-))~%GIFT%~
I hope they will elect her after all the thamasa
Hey you write like a journalist!
Ain”t much into politics nevertheless, this was a good read besides informing me that this woman is gonna be the next President! :))
JS…a very incisive post…felt like I was reading a Sanghavi or Thapar! The president is a redundant figure in Indian politics…it is often the culmination for many of years of distinguished careers…political or otherwise…the dynamics of political alliances does add the much needed ”masala” to the selection process…here’’s wishing the lady to better what her predecessors have done…provide a good photo op…stroll in the Mughal gardens…lay wreaths at tombs…attend swearing in ceremonies…I feel it is high time that entities like President, mayors etc be scrapped…
Thanks for your fine observations replete with objectivity, candour and practical wisdom. Your last sentence was truly touching. Surprisingly the parties which have decided to nominate (and support her choice) Mrs. Patil for the august office have deliberately been opposing the Women’’s Reservation issue before the Parliament for so long.
i join in to wish her all the best !
“I hope Srimati Patil absolves herself of the last traces of political manouevering and bias while assuming the Presidential chair and do justice to the immense expectations of an emerging nation and her people. And while she strolls down the Mughal Gardens, marveling at its exotic splendour the thought of the poorest of the poor writhing unfed in some shade of an unclad roof in the heart of Kalahandi doesn’t miss her mind.” YEAH!!! The last lines said it all!