As the news of Patil winning the Prez poll reached this obscure hamlet, residents broke into jubilation that their 'daughter-in-law' would now become the Head of State.
RAJASTHAN: As the news of Pratibha Patil winning the Presidential poll reached this obscure hamlet on Saturday, residents broke into jubilation that their 'daughter-in-law' would now become the Head of State.
Overjoyed residents, including women and children, rushed out of their houses and started beating drums to celebrate Patil's victory over NDA-backed candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and offered sweets and candies to each other. Several others danced to Rajasthani folk music.
Patil is married to educationist Devisingh Shekhawat, who belongs to the village in Sikar district, and is regarded by its residents as their 'bahu'.
Sarpanch Prem Kanwar told PTI they were not sad that their 'daadosa' (grandfather) had lost, a reference to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who is also from Rajasthan.
"Daadji jeet gaya pan koi dukh nahien daadosa haar gaya (never mind if our grandfather has lost but our grandmother has won)," said a beaming Kanwar in his colloquial Hindi.
"We are not going to sleep tonight as it is a special day for our village which has made history and would be known for eras for giving a woman President," she said.
Retired policeman Bhagirath Singh said the day Patil was nominated as UPA's Presidential candidate, "We were sure that she would win."
"Despite the adverse campaign against her she will prove to be the best President of the country," he said.
A young school student Ramniwas, on being asked how he felt on the defeat of Shekhawat said, "It is sad news for him and us, yet he too should be happy that the 'bahu' of this district (Sikar) has become President."
Marudhar Kanwar, a 17-year-old school student, said she along with her sisters and mother had not watched television to check on the trends as she was confident of Patil's win.
Villagers said it was a day of festival for them and Patil's victory made them feel as if they were "in the month of 'Phagun' and celebrating Holi by splashing gulaal and dancing to the beats of chaang and dhaps."
Cries of 'Choti Losal ki bahu Pratibha Patil Zindabad' (Long live the daughter-in-law of Choti Losal Pratibha Patil) and 'Sonia Ggandhi Zindabad' (Long live Sonia Gandhi) rent the air.
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