Red carpet for Pratibha Patil’s homecoming

The tiny village of Nadgaon in Jalgaon district is abuzz with activity as its ‘loving daughter’ Pratibha Devisingh Patil’s first visit to her hometown, after taking over as the president, nears. Not only is Patil’s ancestral home being done up, but also the school and gram panchayat office have got a new look. Patil is scheduled to perform a puja of her ancestral goddess Chamunda on Friday, which is the day she arrives.

While most houses, the school and gram panchayat office have been painted pink, the only road in the village has been re-laid with a layer of tar. The 5,000-odd villagers are anxiously awaiting Patil’s arrival as they watch security officers and bureaucrats make all preparations.

Virendrasingh Patil, 45, the president’s nephew, and his family have reconstructed the president’s ancestral home where she was born on December 19, 1934. Virendrasingh’s wife Ranjan Kunwar and Pratibha Patil’s cousin sisters Shantabai Rajput and Janabai Rajput have bought a white saree with grey shades and a silver Lord Ganesha idol as gifts. The family has also prepared a special letter to honour Pratibha Patil.

“Tai (as they fondly call Pratibha Patil) is a religious person. Despite being the president, she is very down to earth. She likes rangoli and her favourite festival is Gudi Padwa. We are trying to remind her of the old days she spent here,” Shantabai told DNA.

The women members in Pratibha Patil’s extended family, however, are a little disappointed as she won’t be having the puran poli and curry they planned to prepare for her due to security reasons. Around 2,200 police officers have been deployed for the president’s security during the three-day visit of the district.