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Two Patils, one President

Article Abstract by: Nayagan    

Original Author: P. Radhakrishnan
  • Summary rating: 5 stars (2 Ratings)
  • Visits : 32
  • words:600 
  • Comments : 0

The next President of India will certainly be a surprise. When the electronic media started the debate a number
of names dropped in and dropped out. My choice was Amartya Sen . But I do not think politicians care for a reputed academic. In fact, he can be a threat to them.
Then Pranab Mukherjee''s name was in circulation.
Later I realised that Pranab Mukherjee does a good job as India''s Defence Minister, and he is of better use outside the  Rashtrapati Bhavan
Suddenly Shivraj Patil''s name came up and I thought the UPA (read Congress) had made up its mind, if at all it has one. I posted an item on Shivraj Patil thinking that he will be sworn in as the next President.
You can read my piece:
A wish-list President ?
Now Pratibha Patil ''s name is in circulation.
I am not sure if it ever occurred to the Indian political class to have a woman as the next President. But I remember that  in a debate on the next Preident on one of the English TV channels, Vinod Mehta, editor of the OUTLOOK mentioned his preference for a woman.
Given  Indian editors and jounalists guilds'' infamy of free ride and the related benefits of wining, dining and what have you, nobody would have taken Vinod Mehta seriously.
In fact, when he dropped a name, another participant''s rebuttal was "that would be a disaster". Be that as it may, if Pratibha Patil really makes it to the  office of  President, Mehta can certainly stake his claim for the usual binge.
As Dr.  Abdul Kalam has brought about a new meaning to the Presidential functionary and some relevance and reverence to the Rashtrapati Bhavan in India''s politics and society,
I had drawn a wish-list for Shivraj Patil.
But what kind of a wish list one can have for a woman one has hardly heard of as President? Well, taking a cue from R Venkataraman''s My Presidential Years, the She-Patil can do certain things. Incidentally, if I remember right, Venkataraman in his book boasts of introducing Idli, Sambhar (and Thayir Saadham) in Rashtrapati Bhavan (probably mostly for his consumption!).
The She-Patil can fill the Rashtrapati Bhavan with women employees. She can take up women''s issues. She can take on Sonia Gandhi and encourage Jayalalithaaaaa to form a Third Front as a counterpoise to the existing two affronts, and so on.
So, let us wait and watch.
Published: July 07, 2007
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