Written by : Tanisha Malyan
SMT. PRATIBHA PATIL- FORMER PRESIDENT OF INDIA
Smt. Pratibha Patil- former president of India was born on 19 December 1934 and she was the first female president of India from 2007-2012. Smt. Pratibha Patil grew in Maharashtra where she always felt a desire to help backward classes and women. This inspired her to become a lawyer and a social worker. She worked hard to improve the present situation at that time and the future for women and rural communities. She also held important positions like Governor of Rajasthan and Member of Parliament. When she was President, she focused on inclusive growth and women’s rights in India and India’s place in the global community.
EDUCATION:
Smt. Pratibha Patil started her education at R. R. She went to school in a town called Jalgaon in Maharashtra where early values, deep appreciation for knowledge and education began to be developed in her. She later on attended Moolji Jetha College which provided her with a Bachelor’s degree in the fields of Political Science and Economics from the University of Pune.
She was determined to learn how the legal system could be used to assist people and choose to continue her education at the Government Law College in Mumbai which is the oldest respected institution in the country. During her college years, she was also a passionate sportsperson winning several championships in table tennis. Her student’s years were very critical in forming beliefs which helped her get into public services.
CAREER JOURNEY:
–PROFESSIONAL CAREER
Smt. Pratibha Patil, Former president of India started her professional career as a lawyer at the Jalgaon District Court. She was also a social worker who mainly focussed on women’s welfare and education. Her wish to transform people’s lives formed a natural progression for her in politics.
-POLITICAL CAREER
Her passion to serve others led her to a satisfying path into politics where she thought she could implement real change. She became a trusted leader by being elected four more times as an MLA from the Edlabad constituency and she never lost an election. During her years, she held some important cabinet level offices in the government of Maharashtra including Minister for Public Health, Minister for Social Welfare, Minister for education and Minister for Urban Development. She was then chosen as the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly which demonstrated her ability to function as a leader in multiple capacities.
Later, she became a member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha where she was elected as Deputy Chairperson. Later she was elected to Lok Sabha from Amravati and she did very well there too as the head of the House Committee. Throughout her career, Pratibha Patil worked with the consistent commitment and strong leadership that gained respect and had an impact on her work.
SOCIAL LIFE AND CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT:
Smt. Pratibha Patil has always cared about people and their progression. She focused on helping women and improving livelihoods in rural communities by working on expanding education for girls and access to healthcare in the poorest regions of Maharashtra.
In 1973 she was among the founders of the Pratibha Mahila Sahakari Bank which provided easier access to loans and banking for women seeking financial independence. Although the bank eventually closed but it was significant step in the ability of women entrepreneurs to act on their dreams. Alongside her social work she enjoyed assisting cultural initiatives that celebrated the local culture, languages and arts especially in Maharashtra.
She helped facilitate festivals and literary events promoting cultural pride and improved the Pratibha Sahitya Parishad to promote Marathi literature and culture. Throughout her political career she maintained communities and valued local projects by visiting villages and supporting local development projects. During her Presidency, she deeply believed in taking people from diverse backgrounds together through cultural exchange programs. So that is why she is regarded as a real social reformer of Indian heritage.
PERSONAL LIFE:
She was married to Devi Singh Ransingh Patil, a lawyer and politician. They together raised two children. She was very down to earth and generous at the same time. Even with a busy social life, she was always mindful of her commitment to her family.
She was connected to the roots and often spoke about her experiences with family and what family values mean to her and her community. Her personal life reveals that while she was very dedicated as a leader, she was also dedicated in her roles as a wife, mother and grandmother too.
LATE LIFE AND HONORS:
Smt. Pratibha Patil remained an active and respected figure in her later years. For some time, she shared her life experiences and learnings at certain events and gatherings. After her presidency concluded, she kept on supporting women’s empowerment and education.
She received a number of awards and honors related to the field of public life and for her contributions to politics, social welfare and culture. She was recognized with several major civilian awards and received honorary degrees from universities which were all motivated by her hard efforts. She became the role model of many women and her legacy continues to inspire people till the present date.
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