P
ratibha Patil not only has to be a "people's president"—she needs to come up to the expectations of the women of this country. For instance, her women critics—ranging from the fashionably vitriolic Shobha De to the volubly feminist Madhu Kishwar—have dismissed her elevation out of hand, saying that her becoming president will not materially change the condition of women in the country. What does she plan to do to ensure that she doesn't just remain a symbol? "I will continue to do what I have always done—first as a minister in Maharashtra for 16 years, and then as governor. They should be good indicators..." (Women activists in Rajasthan testify to her keeping an "open house" as governor, meeting women's rights, citizen's and minority groups.)
In her assumption speech as president, she had said, "One of the unique features of our national movement, of our freedom struggle, was the equal participation of men and women." But, she tells me, that in the intervening years, "Women have not kept pace with the developments." Why not? "At the time of the freedom struggle, there was a movement, there was a fervour—then things became routine, women returned to their homes, to their roles as housewives," she replies, stressing, "I am not saying that women should not be wives and mothers, but they should all play a role in nation-building in any way they can. They can perform their duties as housewives and still make a contribution, according to their own abilities, for the development of the nation."
What about her own career in politics? Was it hard? "It was not always easy. I had to face many problems—I contested elections to the Maharashtra assembly at 27, before I got married, and won. " What made her keep her maiden name even after she got married, especially at a time when it was not so common to do so? "I had contested elections before I got married—people knew me as Pratibha Patil. So I kept the name. People accepted it—my husband accepted it," she says quietly. Clearly, this is a woman who makes her statements outside the spotlight. Sources close to her add that she was also not unduly upset at the accusations that she lacked stature—she was confident that her varied 45-year-old record as lawyer, MLA, minister, MP, deputy chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and governor made her eminently suitable to become first citizen.
She must be conscious, with two years to go of the current UPA government, that all eyes will follow her right up to the general elections in 2009, when another coalition government might be sworn in. "The Constitution says it all—the roles of the various organs of state, the executive, judiciary and legislature are well-defined. I will just be guided by the Constitution. I don't really envisage any problem," says Pratibha Patil confidently.
So, who or what is her inspiration? She just utters two words: "Nishkaam bhakti" (Devotion to God without any desire). The conversation ends and in response to an unspoken signal, the ADC enters to escort us out.