A conversation with India's first woman head of state towards the end of her term
“My image of a President before I came here,” President K.R. Narayanan said in a rare televised interview with N. Ram in 1998, “was that of a rubber-stamp President, to be frank.” “But having come here,” he went on, “I find that the image is not quite correct. My image of a President is of a working President, not an executive President, but a working President, and working within the four corners of the Constitution.”
“I have to agree with my esteemed predecessor,” says President Pratibha Patil, whose five-year term will end on July 25.
“Five years ago, when I was elected, I had the feeling that the President doesn't have much to do. I've realised, though, that this is not a rubber-stamp position.”
Earlier this week, in a conversation with The Hindu's former Editor-in-Chief N. Ram and me, President Patil offered some rare insight into her vision of India's highest constitutional office, and how she has used it to advance causes of profound concern to her—critically, the rights of women and alleviating the crisis in the country's agrarian economy.
President Patil's term in office has been remarkably free of the kinds of friction that erupted during the tenures of some past Presidents—controversies that, on occasion, led Rashtrapati Bhavan towards collision with the political executive.
In the United Kingdom, the social scientist and essayist Walter Bagehot famously wrote in the nineteenth century that the monarch “has the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn”. In the quietest possible way, President Patil has sought to exercise all three of these rights, while avoiding public controversy of any kind. Parliament, she points out, consists of both its Houses and the President—though the President has no executive authority.
How then, over the last five years, has a textbook President influenced the course of the nation?
On women's rights
Long before she entered Rashtrapati Bhavan, the rights of women had been an important political concern for President Patil. In a 2009 conversation with N. Ram, she flagged child marriage, addiction, and social suppression, all of which contribute to their low social status, as her key concerns.
In our conversation, it is clear the issues she dealt with as an activist continue to be of great importance to her. “Women are 50 per cent of our population,” she says, “and there is simply no way our nation can progress if its population is left behind.”
In 2008, the President summoned the first of the two Governors' conferences that are normally held during her five year term in office. The conference led to the setting up of a new committee of Governors which consulted State governments, legislators and non-governmental organisations before calling for a new high-level initiative to push forward reform.
Their report—a report which the President feels represents decades of on-ground experience of the interstices between government and societies sometimes hesitant to embrace change—was discussed with the Prime Minister. “I impressed on him that this was of the greatest importance,” the President recalls, “and I have to say he was extremely supportive.”
The gains, the President says, have been slow—but are nonetheless evident. Last February, former Supreme Court judge Ruma Pal was appointed to chair a high-level committee to study the status of women. There is now a National Mission for Empowerment of Women that coordinates and monitors system wide implementation of women related programmes.
President Patil is particularly optimistic about the Rashtriya Mahila Kosh, which will provide finance to women-owned enterprises nationwide.
“I'm very worried,” President Patil says, “by the latest census figures, which show an alarming drop in the gender ratio. This is a matter of real concern.” In meeting after meeting, the President has been speaking out in public on the issue—in one case, taking the unusual step of addressing a rally of thousands in Punjab.
“Things move slowly,” President Patil concludes, “but I think you can see they are moving in the right direction. People are realising what the issues are, and coming to understand the need for us to act. You will see the results—perhaps not as fast as we would all like, but surely.”
On the agrarian crisis
President Patil has also quietly used her office to focus attention on the crisis in India's countryside—a crisis that has claimed thousands of lives in Maharashtra, a State that she has decades-old ties of kinship and social engagement with. In her time in office, she has often spoken publicly on the need for change in India's agrarian policies; on one occasion, she addressed a farmers' rally at Nagpur. Key thinkers on agrarian issues, among them the eminent agricultural scientist and food policy expert, M.S. Swaminathan, have been regularly consulted by the President.
For millions of farmers, the President notes, “every monsoon is a gamble.” In her view, there is an urgent need for a second green revolution, focusing on rainfed regions. It seems apparent that the President does not believe government-driven policy reform alone, though, will be adequate to bring about this change. She underlines the need to “think out of the box” to ensure that technology and knowledge can be used to revolutionise the agrarian economy, particularly in rainfed areas.
President Patil has worked to build a coalition involving the Planning Commission, chambers of commerce, public sector undertakings, and experts to see what measures might be taken. She believes that the foundations for this economy can only be laid by a partnership between industry and agriculture.
“Everything else in India can wait,” she says, “but agriculture cannot. Agriculture holds the key to creating foundations for our future growth and prosperity.”
On India's future
In the President's view, one key reason for this happily controversy-free tenure has been the excellent relationship she has enjoyed with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The Prime Minister and President have, she recalls, met on average once every month over the last five years. The President has also been fortunate in not facing the kinds of divided electoral verdicts that led some of her predecessors into controversy, though in 2009 constitutional experts were consulted well in advance in case the 15th Lok Sabha election produced a hung Parliament. The President also appears to have a clear sense of the mood in India's cities and villages: more than 150,000 visitors have been to Rashtrapati Bhavan during her tenure, and she has met with thousands more during tours through the country.
In spite of the growing frustration with corruption in India's national life, which has engendered growing bitterness directed at organised politics and frustration with the country's institutions, President Patil says she remains an optimist.
“The Constitution,” she reflects, “has been a compass that has guided this nation of 1.2 billion people, the world's largest democracy, through very difficult times. Yes, some situations have developed that are challenges, but these are temporary. The Constitution's core values, like secularism, have helped us negotiate the pulls and strains that are imposed by our great diversity.”
These kind of articles are not expected from such a reputed paper!!
This lady doesn't deserve a single day let alone 5 years as a president.
I am disappointed with The Hindu
Her leadership is the same as her master, Sonia.
Only a few corrupt can miss them.
As mentioned by Gayathri, the incumbent President was not known outside of Maharashtra, prior to her occupying the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.
She is not a person known for any good deed done. She was known to Mrs. Sonia because of her connection with Congress party.
As mentioned by many of the persons in this column, she is known as the President who took all her known and unknown relatives on foreign trips along with her.
She occupied the same Rashtrapathi Bhavan occupied by Dr. Abdul Kalam and it is pity. The sanctity of Rashtrapathi Bhavan is lost after hearing the episodes in which her name was linked, either directly or through her son or any relative.
We have to salute the Congress party for bringing in, such a Great Person, into the esteemed Bhavan.
India will never improve up to the time the Congress Party and everyone connected with that- it includes supporting parties of UPA-II- like NCP, BSP,SP, Party of Lalu Prasad etc are completely removed from the face of it.
To sum up,she is the worst President our nation has ever had.Thank God her term is coming to an end very soon and as true nationalists, not even a single soul has voiced for a second term for this lady who is nepotism and extravagance at the cost of the nation, personified!
Indeed, the President's legacy has been so quiet as to completely be lost on the populace. She will not be missed because she did not inspire ideas, trust or affection.
It is sad that this great country had a Rubber Stamp President whose name was involved in misuse of taxpayers's money on her foreign travels by taking the larget continget with her; involved in trying to build a palace in Pune at the cost of Army's land; and the involvement of her son in a 1 crore cash deal scandal.
Indian President is bound in every case to act on the advise of the Cabinet,headed by Prime Minister of India, From it, it is clear that Indian President does not posses executive powers of the country.He is just a titular head. Therefore, there is not much left to expect from our President of India. During the last 60 years, no president was found to have done something extra for the country as a whole.It is because our president does not posses any executive powers and if he has any personal agenda to do something is not supported by Cabinet,headed by Prime -Minister.
Therefore, what our current President Prativa Patil does is only misnomer.What was found of Prativa Patil is that she spent crores of rupees in the name of foreign tours during her tenure as President of India.
This article I am afraid does not look like a Praveen Swami's article known for his sharp analytical skills and attention to detail.Aami admi vey well knows - not having any friction with ruling class by the president cannot be construed as an eventful and meanigful innings. The reason she was chosen in the first place was to silence any future embarrasement UPA could suffer at the hands of a president who excersices his/her authority. Even before becoming President or towards the end of it - it is loaded with controversy albeit outside Rashtra Bhavan which says a lot about her tenure. Going by the same yard stick pronounced here, one should only look at IPL and its cricket and abstain from commenting anything other than IPL cricket.
President Pratibha Patil , the first woman president in the free India was definitely a remarkable step taken by free India. But it is rather unfortunate that Mrs.Patil could not do much for the country excepting forming the committee for woman reforms etc. She remained busy in traveling out of the country and has been a record for the same .Her son was arrested and the later on matter was hushed up.May i ask Mrs. President what was the need of carrying the whole family on foreign trip ,is not a misuse of public exchequer.No body will shed tears on her retirement and will never be remembered as a good president as nation always remember Dr.Rajendra Prasad,Radha Krishnan,A.P.G.Kalam.
well i started reading this article and couldn't go ahead after reading this statement. "Five years ago, when I was elected, I had the feeling that the President doesn't have much to do." How sad this is!! what does she mean by that after all. So our president thought that she can holiday all her tenure abroad after she get elected as a president?? She should instead be talking about what she wanted to contribute and if she was successful in it or not...
Looks like misplaced nostalgia to me. When Dr Kalam was the president, he visited my college twice in a span of 2 years to motivate students and teachers. How many schools and colleges did Hon'ble Ms Patil visit in her "stint"?
P.S. I am not talking about foreign educational insitutions, only humble Indian ones.
A leader should be inspirational which sadly our President is not. The only legacy she leaves behind is the title of being the first lady President of India. Is that all the country of a 1.2 billion people expects from the First Lady? Not at all inspirational and mired with controversies related misuse of office by her and family members. An opportunity to leave behind a mark lost. Sad!
She has been the most unpopular president that India has ever seen. If
she has done something useful, why not share it with the public of
India? As a citizen of this country I challenge her to point wise list
down her activities and achievements and share it with us rather than
this sermonizing talk. Not to mention a tabular list of where has our
tax money gone.
As far as Indan society is concerned a noble lady has became the president in the largest democrasy.But the third world like India, what is the possision in the world affairs.what is her oppinion?
The indian SANATHANA culture is degrading? The role of RAMAYANA in the life is goneaway for ever...The family laws are making for destructing the family life? The family laws are for westernising the indian society?
The curruption is in the pinacle form? The world order is changing with new ideologies. Former president Dr.Abdulkalam has inspered the kids,youth and seintific communities...But unfotunately the silence with most expensive tour is the memmorable contribution from the first first lady is commemmorable
She justified "the rubber stamp" position.
President should have a facebook/twitter account where we can see what
greater good are they doing everyday. :)
We understand from the identitical views of the two Presidents
that they are not rubber stamps as many people feel in the country.
But they tend to become postage stamps released on Independence days and republic days.And the campaigning about the election of
new president from the identifying of few people for the post and canvassing by many so called protectors of the constitution.It looks as though they do not worry any linger whether they are
stamps or not but they want to gain some populartiy or some personal gains.the candidates should think about this and make it
clear that there would not be rubber stamps,postage stamps or puppets but only sincere hard working employees occupying the
top post under a contract with the peoplr for 5 yrs.
For a long moment I thought I was reading the April 1st issue. If there are two inert beings next to each other, it is hardly likely that there will be any energy or shift or movement between them. So, what is great about this "excellent" relationship the President has had with our PM? What did they DO together that was of vital importance or visionary for the nation? Paying cursory attention to "issues" and reading speeches written by others are things anybody can do.
How many crores has the nation bled keeping Ms. Patil in office? We need a president who will declare president's rule in a crisis, and have immense powers of leadership, far outweighing those of any elected leader. It's a good thing we didn't have such a crisis during the tenure of Ms. Patil. The presidentship itself was the crisis, though.
" She underlines the need to “think out of the box” to ensure that technology and
knowledge can be used to revolutionise the agrarian economy, particularly in
rained areas."
Madam, who will create that technology and knowledge? Look at the number of
researchers in your vast 1.25 billion nation. Ask the farmers (or better pass a bill)
to worship some cricketers-after all they are going to bharat ratnas and what not.
or Just pay homage to the temples of film actors.
Maybe, on your foreign trips with extended family members, did you beg european
or us researchers to have mercy on you and sell you some technology?
I dont undestand what is "quiet legacy" associated with current President. She has not done anything which can be remembered or followed. Hope our next president is like Dr.APJ.
The one thing I have always missed in The Hindu is a satirist. But, it seems that gap has been filled. Congratulations!
Im my view Dr. APJ was the best president i hope he gets renominated for the post.
Without taking sides - when the elected representatives with executive
powers hit the headlines for alleged usurpations, rampant misuse of power, national plunders, destroying the country's economy/society/moral-fibre with endemic and systemic bribery and corruption - it seems to me somewhat unrealistic to expect that any President without executive powers will be allowed to achieve much. >Why blame the 'ceremonial head' when the entire structure is rotten to the core?
In these circumstances, the best we can expect is for the 'individual' who accepts the poisoned chalice to exercise high moral standards personally. But frankly, how likely is it that such a person will ever be "nominated" by the thoroughly corrupted electoral college (some members with criminal charges!!!), ie the MPs? To fix the problem is it not necessary to improve the quality of the
elected representatives, first?
Contrary to what this article suggests, tt was literally a quite stint, This article does not cover even a handful of achivements, may be there weren't many. The initiatives by the President should be monitored online, accessible to public domain to really measure what the president is doing/has done.
President Pratibha Patil - has been as good a President as any of her predecessors (in fact, even better than a few who showed partisan attitude while in Office). She is certainly not popular among the Internet savvy urban middle class - who almost hero worship her predecesor.
The vicious campaign launched against her by some vested interests during the run up to the 2007 Presidential poll also coloured some people's outlook towards her. But if we judge her without any prejudice , she has conducted herself honourably while in Office.
Smt.Pratiba Patil goes down to the history of India as the first lady President who brought much needed grace,peace and security to the office and the country.In a society where women are considered weak and sub-ordinate to men,she has proved beyond any doubt equality of gender and power of will and commitment to show before the galaxy of nations Indias progress in many respects especially freedom of press and media.She was criticized for travel abroad, but remember the whole world has become a small village where public relations matter.Many of our political leaders are criticized for the salary and perquisites .Please compare the same with those of counterparts in countries like USA,UK,Germany and also China not to mention about what is drawn by our CEO s of Reliance, Tatas, Birlas,etc.etc.
This article was not expected from The Hindu. Such cheap and biased materials is expected from non-Hindu kind of media. Sad but Pratibha was a major dissapointed and she remained the same. Sad that Hindu has published this article.
Any professional is responsible for a particular set of tasks and activities. They will not be remembered for what is expected out of them. They will be honored and remembered for how they go beyond the expectations, how they changed the society and the people around us, how they influenced us. I don't think President Mrs. Patil became successful in any of these. That is why we believe Dr. APJ is respected most widely. He made the presidential position more challenging than ever before, and gave the pathway to his successors. Unfortunately, President Mrs Patil failed miserably in following that path.
The so called "achievements" of this President are laughable. Many social workers have dedicated their lives for their causes and they have made a far greater impact from modest dwellings in remote areas. Even before being sworn in, this President had many wings of Rashtrapathi Bhavan upgraded at great cost to the exchequer in order to please herself and her entourage. She will undoubtedly go down as the most inept President in the history of independent India leaving even Fakrudin Ali Ahmed far behind.
Sorry to say this,but respected President you were the president which India of 21st century never wanted....
President Pratibhatai Patil has left a legacy of honesty, integrity and a deep commitment to women's issues, the Constitution and rule of law.Her influence has been subtle and behind the scenes. She has been a role model to millions of women all over India who aspire to making a difference to their lives and the nation.
I fully agree with her that our country cannot progress till the situation of women and farmers in our country improves.I hope the next President of India continues to give the same importance to issues which were dear to her heart.
President Pratibhatai Patil's political acumen, realism and patriotism endowed the office of the President with a quiet dignity and authority which I believe will be missed.
I hope and pray that God gives her strength to continue the good work she has been doing all her life.
Smt. Pratiba Patil is synonymous with Extravagance,It is reported her
foreign tour expenses is a record one.while on foreign tour there is
no need to take all her family members and relatives,which she did
,shamelessly,as reported in the media.She was a party to grab a vast
acre of defense land in Pune to construct a palace at tax payers money
to serve her a home post retirement.This was given up only after a
public out cry.This did not give any credit to the high office she
holds.Her son was involved in some controversy while on her foreign
tour with her and later hushed up. This speaks how upright is she and
how much value she attaches to the fair name and dignity of the
President of the Nation.It appears from the various media reports, she
has not enhanced the dignity of the post she holds and no one will
shed any tears on her retirement.No other Presidents before her was so
unpopular as she is and hope her successor would be at least a shade
better and will not break her record
I am a citizen of India. So I have a responsibility to chose a person who can enjoy the legacy of India such as President.
As Supreme Commander she was in a tank during desert exercises, at sea during a
Fleet review and flew in a Su-MKI combat fighter. These were gestures befitting a
Supreme Commander. But when the Veteran Community badly let down by
successive governments over Pay commission disparities and the One Rank One
Pension issue, knocked at Rashtrapati Bhawan gates in a symbol of desperation to
return their medals, they were received by low level functionaries and not even
extended the courtesy of an audience with the Supreme Commander who they had
loyally served for decades! Supreme Commanders need to be made of sterner stuff!
The current present is not known to any person in this country. I came to know her when her son was caught with 1 crore rupees , some over expense in foreign trips and some land grab issues, which no other President of this country had ever done. I want to ask one thing, whats her contribution to this nation?
So in a nutshell, in five years the legacy of the President consists of
addressing rallies, constituting committees to "look into" matters and
maintaining a rapport with the PM. No solid vision, no innovative
programs, no specific measures. But she did set a record with foreign
travel expenses and tried to build a home in land reserved for military
families. Hardly one of our better Presidents, I am afraid.
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