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July 25, 2008 12:08:17 PM CDT

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India Elects First Female Prez

Posted Jul 21, 07 3:30 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – India elected its first woman to the largely ceremonial office of president today, in a landslide vote among parliament and state politicians. Pratibha Patil's supporters hail her victory as a breakthrough for women's rights in the country, while critics assert her reputation is already marred by a slew of personal and financial scandals.

Patil has been accused of swindling cash from a bank that offers loans to poor women, covering up for her brother in a murder inquiry, making derogatory remarks about Muslims, and being too superstitious for modern India. She denies the charges, and Indian politicians have rallied around the watershed election. "This is a very special moment for us women," Sonia Gandhi said.

Source Reuters

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An undated photograph made available Thursday, June 14, 2007, shows Pratibha Patil, Governor of Indian state of Rajasthan. Patil was chosen Thursday as the nominee of India's governing coalition for next...   (Associated Press)
Newly elected Indian President Pratibha Patil, 72, waves to the media after the formal announcement of her victory in New Delhi, India, Saturday, July 21, 2007. Patil on Saturday became the first woman...   (Associated Press)
Newly elected Indian President Pratibha Patil, 72,gestures after the formal announcement of her victory in New Delhi, India, Saturday, July 21, 2007. Patil on Saturday became the first woman to hold the...   (Associated Press)
Congress party women activists rub colored powder on another activist as they celebrate in anticipation of the win of India's ruling party candidate Pratibha Patil to the post of Indian President, in...   (Associated Press)
Newly elected Indian President Pratibha Patil, 72, center, and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, right, gesture as United Progressive Alliance Chairperson and Congress party President Sonia Gandhi...   (Associated Press)
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women's rights  • presidency  • domestic violence  • electoral college


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