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The post of president is a ceremonial one in India. Indian president has no executive power but he is the most respected person. India never had a female president until now although India had female prime minister much earlier than most countries in the world. Who can forget Indira Gandhi? Now, India has at last the first female president. She is Pratibha Patil and she is 72 years old. Pratibha Patil is not a stranger in Indian politics. She has nearly four decades of experience in politics.

Washington Post wrote:

The office of the presidency has long been used to give underrepresented groups a voice; there have been three Muslim presidents and one Sikh.

"But this is a special moment for women across the country," Sonia Gandhi said during a celebration at Patil's home in the city of Jalgaon, as firecrackers exploded. "It shows India is committed to women."

Several Indian women have served in high-ranking positions. In 1966, Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi's mother-in-law, became one of the first female prime ministers in the world. But while women gain more political clout, widespread discrimination endures.

I am not too much optimistic about Pratibha Patil’s having any significant contribution towards the development of condition of Indian women. Millions of women are illiterate and suffering in all corners of India. Dowry is still a big curse to most Indian women. Abortion of female fetuses is a very common thing in India and in many states; the number of female population has substantially decreased compared to male population.