As India gets ready for her first woman President and political alliances within and beyond the public-view brace to ensure her grand entry into the Rashtrapati Bhavan, few issues crop up in the mind of the reluctant observer.

It is of course a moment of great pride and honour for Srimati Pratibha Patil to be nominated as the UPA candidate for the Presidential elections and if all goes according to plan, she is set to be the First Citizen of the State within less than a month.

-Ostentatiously, a moment to be cheered by feminists the world over.

- A moment to mark new beginnings and if extension of imagination still be a tax-free exercise,

-A Moment of History in the making.

Still, a sense of unease seems to trouble my sensibilities as events unfold in the political circles. One of them primarily being the process of ‘Selection in the event of Elimination’ that was followed leading to the nomination. Isn’t it a matter of imposing shame and regret that a woman who is being so eloquently praised for her political acumen and understanding was kept in the political by-lanes of anonymity by the same people who now break sweat to cobble up the numbers for her election. Isn’t it a glaring incongruence to be promoting the liberal-feminist outlook of the Govt. when it actually is a consequence of rejection of five ‘male’ probables short-listed for the post.

Only political insiders would know the secret of the exchange of interests that took place behind closed doors leading to the nomination. But, one thing seems to be apparent. That being Mrs Patil’s selection only because she proved to be a politically viable symbol to rally the allies in support. So as things stand at the moment the election is set to mark no great leap for ‘womanity’ of India, no revolution in the path to female emancipation, and no promotion of the unique and celebrated ‘democratic traditions’ of India. Rather, on close scrutiny it stands out as a strategic masterstroke and at most a decision of impeccable political tact on part of the ruling alliance.

Still, as I set aside my super-cynical (though observant and logical) approach to the Presidential nomination, at the same time, I also have immense respect for ‘Individual will’ and Spirit. Therefore, I hope Srimati Patil absolves herself of the last traces of political manouevering and bias while assuming the Presidential chair and do justice to the immense expectations of an emerging nation and her people. And while she strolls down the Mughal Gardens, marveling at its exotic splendour the thought of the poorest of the poor writhing unfed in some shade of an unclad roof in the heart of Kalahandi doesn’t miss her mind.

I wish her all the best.