Must admit that I have never spent much thought on the Presidential elections ever! Having read in class eight civics text books that in the Indian democracy the role of the President is only but ceremonial it never occurred that the choice of a presidential candidate could create such hoopla. Must say that like many others I too was left wondering 'Pratibha Patil' who?

Surely, she isn't one of the most well known politicians of our times. But I guess we live in interesting times... and Pratibha Patil is destined to be the President of India. And without going into the intricacies and reasons of her being chosen one (Because she is low key.... that she is a woman? ) what followed thereafter is ceaselessly amusing. Parties like the Shiv Sena have thought it opportune to exploit and espouse the Marathi sentiment thus paving way for petty regionalism in the times to come. And this nation should not be surprised when further Presidential elections become a contest of regional identities.

Clearly in the times of cut throat politics even the President's chair is not sacrosanct. There is no call of conscience while the conscience keeper of the Indian democracy is elected. And I wonder if its rocket science to fathom that an all party consensus on the next President will only do well for Indian democracy and help retain its character as it is inscribed in the class eight school text books that we have read.

How hard is it really to find 'one' person who all may consider the eligible enough to represent India on the highest constitutional seat, a person with impeccable credentials and strength of character? How about searching for the next President beyond the realms of politics? But this time without looking to deliver a political master stroke like BJP did last time by nominating President Kalam...

And let me clarify lest I am misunderstood. The issue here is not of Pratibha Patil as the next President( may be she will make a great President) but the process that will perhaps elect her. I remember back in school we all would be thrilled every time the morning assembly conductor would call 'Attention' for the national anthem. I don't think as eight graders we ever pondered if national anthem was written by a Bengali or a Marathi. Or that the Father of the Nation came from Gujarat or Tamil Nadu.

I also remember as school children we stood with roses in hands across the roadside barricades waving when the 'then' President visited our town. Now after so many years I don't know if I will have the same energy and inclination to do that again. Perhaps now I have read more than my civics text books. Things that have made me a skeptic and a cynic!!!