First Woman President of India, Pratibha Patil Achievements

         _{Pratibha Patil is an Indian politician who served as the 12th President of India from 2007 to 2012. She was the first woman president of India.}

_{Before her Presidency, she had a long and distinguished career in politics. She served as a member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for two terms. She was the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of the Indian Parliament) before becoming the Governor of Rajasthan.}

What are Pratibha Patil Achievements and her Impact as the First Woman President of India?

         _{As the first woman president of India, Patil made significant contributions to the country’s development. She focused on improving education, especially for girls, and worked towards promoting literacy in rural areas. Patil also promoted scientific and technological advancements and took steps to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment.}

_{She was also an advocate for the rights of women and children. During her Presidency, she launched several initiatives aimed at protecting women and children from violence and exploitation. She also worked towards improving the welfare of marginalized communities, including tribal communities and the physically challenged.}

_{Overall, Pratibha Patil’s Presidency had a significant impact on the social and economic development of India, and she remains a respected and admired figure in Indian politics.}

The Early Life and Education of Pratibha Patil

         _{Pratibha Patil was born on December 19, 1934, in the village of Nadgaon, in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra, India. Her father, Narayan Rao Patil, was a landowner and a member of the Indian National Congress party. Her mother, Rama Bai, was a homemaker.}

_{She completed her early education at the R. R. Vidyalaya High School in Jalgaon. She went on to receive a Master’s degree in Political Science and Economics from Mooljee Jaitha College, Jalgaon. She later obtained a law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai.}

_{After completing her education, Patil started her career as a lawyer. She practiced law at the Jalgaon District Court, where she gained a reputation as a competent and compassionate lawyer. She was also actively involved in social work and participated in various community development projects.}

_{Patil’s interest in politics was sparked by her father, who was an active member of the Indian National Congress party. In 1962, she was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the first time, and she went on to serve two terms in the Assembly. She also served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, and as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.}

Pratibha Patil’s Political Career – From State Politics to the Country’s Highest Office

         _{Pratibha Patil’s political career spanned several decades, and she held various positions at the state and national levels before becoming the President of India.}

_{In 1962, she was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the first time. She went on to serve two terms in the Assembly, from 1962 to 1978. During this time, she held several positions, including the Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing in the Maharashtra government.}

_{In 1985, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. She served as a member of the Rajya Sabha for two terms, from 1985 to 1990 and from 1991 to 1996. During her tenure, she served as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, a position she held from 1986 to 1988.}

_{In 1991, Patil was elected as the first woman Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. She served as the Speaker for two terms, from 1991 to 1995 and from 1995 to 1999.}

_{In 2004, Patil was appointed as the Governor of Rajasthan, a position she held until 2007. During her tenure as the Governor, she focused on promoting education and the welfare of women and children.}

_{In 2007, she was nominated by the Indian National Congress party to be the candidate for the President of India. She won the presidential election, becoming the first woman president of India.}

Pratibha Patil’s Achievements as India’s First Female President

         _{As India’s first female President, Pratibha Patil made several significant contributions to the country’s development. Here are some of her achievements:}

1. Focus on Education:-

         _{She was passionate about promoting education, particularly for girls. During her Presidency, she launched the “Bharat Nirman” initiative to improve education in rural areas and to promote literacy. She also established the Pratibha Patil Education Society to provide education and scholarships to underprivileged children.}

2. Women’s Empowerment:-

         _{She was a strong advocate for women’s rights and empowerment. She launched several initiatives to protect women and children from violence and exploitation, including the “Nari Shakti” program, which aimed to empower women in rural areas by providing them with vocational training and access to credit.}

3. Promoting Scientific Advancements:-

         _{Patil was passionate about promoting science and technology in India. During her Presidency, she established the “Inspire Awards” to encourage young students to pursue careers in science and launched the “National Science Day” to celebrate the achievements of Indian scientists.}

4. Protecting the Marginalized:-

         _{Patil was committed to improving the welfare of marginalized communities, including tribal communities and the physically challenged. She launched several initiatives aimed at providing healthcare, education, and other support services to these communities.}

5. Strengthening India’s Ties with Other Countries:-

         _{She played an important role in strengthening India’s ties with other countries. During her Presidency, she undertook several international visits and hosted several foreign dignitaries in India.}

_{Overall, Pratibha Patil’s achievements as India’s first female President have had a significant impact on the country’s social and economic development, and she remains a respected and admired figure in Indian politics.}

Business interests of Pratibha Patil

         _{There have been some controversies regarding the business interests of Pratibha Patil and her family members during her Presidency. The most notable controversy involved a land deal in Pune, Maharashtra, in which a company owned by Patil’s family allegedly acquired land at a below-market price.}

_{According to reports, in 2005, a company called Avinash Bhosale Infrastructure Limited (ABIL), which was owned by a close associate of Pratibha Patil’s son, purchased a plot of land in Pune for Rs. 1.2 crore (approximately USD 200,000). However, it was alleged that the market value of the land was much higher and that the company had received undue favors from the Maharashtra government.}

_{The controversy gained traction in the media and was investigated by various agencies. However, in 2013, the Bombay High Court dismissed the case, stating that there was no evidence to support the allegations of impropriety.}

_{It is worth noting that while the controversy was ongoing, Patil herself had maintained that she had no knowledge of the business activities of her family members and had no role in the land deal. Nevertheless, the controversy has tarnished her legacy to some extent and has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of public officials and their family members.}