Pratibha Patil was announced as a candidate for the post of President of India on 14th June, 2007. Her opponent was Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who contested as an independent candidate and also had the support of the opposition parties.
In 2007, Pratibha Patil entered the presidential battle, and won with a distinct edge over her rival, defeating her opponent by more than three lakh votes.
On 25th July 2007, she was sworn in, and took office becoming the first female President of India. She held this post till 25th July, 2012 and was succeeded by Pranab Mukherjee. Like many other presidents, she too faced many controversies.
Not only as a president, but as a social worker, Patil’s role was significant. Pratibha Patil set up the Vidya Bharati Shikshan Prasarak Mandal, an educational institute, which runs a chain of schools and colleges. She also set up the Shram Sadhana Trust, which runs hostels for working women in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune; and an engineering college for rural students.
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