India’s First Woman President?

#8 Harish

You got to distinguish between tongue-in-cheek comments and between outright exclamations of idiocy - both of which get doled out aplenty on this web-site - the latter mostly packaged as articles. :)

Symbolism is meaningless. Real empowerment of women does not require merely electing one to position of power - symbolic or otherwise. In fact, such moves are counter-productive because they produce the ``feel good`` effect without actually doing anything about the underlying, systemic weaknesses which lead to the exploitation of women.

This a-hole knows diddly about how the power structure in India has reshaped. Brahmins may be like the Jews but with neither the money nor the clout. Has the fool seen how Brahmins have been cleaning toilets in Delhi? Has he ever seen a Jew do that? On what basis does he make this half-a$$ed claim? Just because he thinks no Brahmin will retaliate?

The post of the President like any other government post is what the incumbent makes of it. Dr. Kalam brought to it dignity, objectivity and activism that it had lacked for a long time. He showed the necessity of the office when many wanted the post to be scrapped. It is a person`s ability and character and not religion or caste that has to be the determining criteria.

Both Pratibha Patil and Shekhawat have faced smear campaign because their past carried a lot of muck. But the Congresss led UPA and the BJP-NDA have sunk to the lowest form of politics to avoid Kalam being re-elected. In an ideal world, informed citizens would have effected an intervention. In the real world, the only thing they can do is haul up the parties for the real reason that they vetoed Kalam: they did not want a man of integrity to do his job (eg., the office of Profit Bill controversy), one who listened to his ``inner voice`` than be guided by the Council of Ministers who blindly followed the writ of the Congress headquarters.
What does not befit informed citizens is to cover the politicians` true motives by giving the time-old excuse of them being guided by religious or other such considerations.

SalmanBKhan:

I agree. In fact I am all in favor of retaining Kalam Saab as Rashtra Pati and making Ms Patil the Rashtra Patni. Kalam Saab can sleep with her as much as she can.

If Ms Patil wins the election, it would be quite a climb-down from the incumbent. Too bad, the Left agreed for a mediocre instead of agreeing to give Dr. Kalam a second term that he so richly deserved. Dr. Kalam is arguably the best President India had and used this largely ceremonial post as a bully-pulpit to inspire and motivate a nation and, especially, its youth.

Well, Misra Shahib

To make a strong, secular & democratic India, we need to accept that three things.

1. Brahmins of India are like that of the Jews for the world-- exploiting maximum power and recourses in their favour in disguise of quality, intellect and so-called Vedic or Biblical boons bestowed by god upon them.

2. Islam is the only true faith, Allah the only god and Mohammad his prophet.

3. Deoband and Aligarh are the twin founts of Indian secularism, liberalism, and strength.

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I am sorry, I have no interest in such India, but almost every other Hindu is. Good for them and for their India. :)

As usual, rote-learning masquerading as analysis plus some choice bits of racist and hate-speech:

[quote]
And even today the Brahmins of India are like that of the Jews for the world-- exploiting maximum power and recourses in their favour in disguise of quality, intellect and so-called Vedic or Biblical boons bestowed by god upon them.
[ quote]

This in a time when India`s largest state is ruled by Dalit lady (supported by all classes of people including brahmins) and the main cause of violence against dalits are land-owning OBCs!

As for the garbage about jews - heh, heh, why not add Hitler to your name, bevakoof!

Kahain se nikal aatey hain yeh numoona...

#1 Agreed.

Burhanuddin sahib, it`s such a quandary for marathi manus, especially for the supporters of BJP. On one hand first marathi person is getting a chance to be a prominent figure in national politics- where ghatis are treated nothing better than kaamwali bai in Mumbai- but on the other hand she is corrupt woman who supported Indira during emergency. Dilemma, dilemma!!

Qasmi Saab, Excellent article.

Yes, we can rightly be proud of a strong, secular & democratic India. However for this election, the overwhelming majority of Indians want Dr Abdul Kalam back as President, notwithstanding the fact that the people cannot vote in a Presidential election. Ironic really.