After six hot and humid days, the Capital received a refreshing bout of rain on Saturday. But a row of Chinese Box plants (Kamini) in front of 11, South Avenue could not were deprived of refreshing drops.
These plants were covered by two huge canopies, installed to protect the hundreds of newspersons waiting in front of this ground floor flat. They were waiting since morning to have a glimpse of the occupant of the house. But she did not venture out.
At 5:35 pm, Lok Sabha Secretary General and returning officer for the Presidential poll P D T Achary arrived at the venue to officially convey the result of the Presidential election to the occupant of the flat — Ms Pratibha Patil.
Within minutes, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi (in a blue sari) and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived to welcome Madam President. It was celebration time.
Accompanied by Ms Gandhi and Dr Singh, Ms Patil faced the cameras for the first time since the controversies on her close family members’ alleged involvement in a bank scam and in a murder trial, broke out.
‘Victory of principles’
But the victory in a democratic election appears to have washed off all things controversial. “This is a victory of principles and right thinking of people. I am thankful to the people of India. This is a victory of the people,” she said, after flashing the victory sign.
Dr Singh termed this victory as a vote against the politics of divisiveness. “The victory of Pratibha Patil for the august office of the President is the victory of those forces which seek to unite our people. It will strengthen the foundation of our secular republic.”
On behalf of the Left, CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja arrived within half an hour to congratulate the next Rashtrapathi Bhawan occupant. CPM’s Prakash Karat and Sitaram Yechury were not among those who arrived within the first hour. Asked to comment, Ms Gandhi said she was elated at the country getting its first woman President after 60 years of independence. “It’s special moment for women,” she said.
The Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhury was quick to take the cue. She happily moved from one TV channel to other giving bytes on how this election is a watershed event for the womanhood. The celebration has intensified by then with Congress workers distributing sweets. There were no firecrackers.
Historic occasion
With senior political leaders coming one after another to congratulate Ms Patil, it was a busy time for camerapersons who moved from one corner to another to shoot this historic occasion.
In another four days, she will shift to the Rashtrapati Bhawan where his predecessor is leaving a huge collection of beautiful flowers for her eyes to feast upon.
