INDIA: Pratibha Patil, 72, Sworn in as India's First Woman President

Pratibha Patil (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI (Associated Press), July 25, 2007:

India's first female president was sworn in today, vowing to eliminate the practice of aborting female fetuses and to empower women, who are often treated as second-class citizens. A white-clad, mounted honor guard escorted Pratibha Patil's limousine to Parliament, where she took the oath of office. The ceremony was followed by a 21-gun salute announcing the inauguration of India's 13th president.

The 72-year-old Patil had been largely silent on her goals, particularly after drawing criticism for calling on Indian women - Muslims and Hindus alike - to abandon wearing head scarves. Patil wore one, as she often does, for her inaugural address to Parliament.

"Empowerment of women is particularly important to me as I believe this leads to the empowerment of the nation," Patil told lawmakers, calling for universal education in India.

She promised to fight for the vast mass of underprivileged in this country of about 1.1 billion people as it strives to transform itself into a modern, economic giant.

"We must banish malnutrition, social evils, infant mortality and female feticide," Patil said.

By Gavin Rabinowitz
Copyright 2003 Associated Press.