For The People

• Create media goodwill. Recently, as part of the exercise, articles by her came out in two dailies.
  
• Use her position as President to focus on women's empowerment and inclusive growth, her two buzzwords
  
• Further open up Rashtrapati Bhavan, have more public interactions
  
• Host sportspersons and achievers (not just cricketers) instead of merely issuing congratulatory statements
  
• Improve the food served to Rashtrapati Bhavan guests

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So how has India's first woman Prez fared in her six-and-a-half months in office? The media hasn't quite taken to her yet. So, Rashtrapati Bhavan sources told Outlook, a PR effort is planned to present the First Citizen in a better light. And it won't involve image consultants or PR agencies but her own personal staff and, of course, family friends. TV journalist and social worker Manoj Rastogi, who has known the Prez for years, says, "It's sad that you have to be loud and flamboyant in today's politics to make your presence felt. She is rather a silent worker in the Gandhian mould, and should be appreciated for that."

All the same, it's going to be tough for Patil to follow the Abdul Kalam act, given the common touch the 'people's president' had acquired. She is reticent in comparison and has no great professional reputation to build on, hence the decision to come through as someone deeply concerned about "women's empowerment". In the recent past, two page-one articles with Patil's byline appeared in English dailies. One was on the need to boost agricultural growth and other on women's empowerment. Rashtrapati Bhavan officials say they put together the pieces from past speeches made by Patil. According to them, more such writing is in the pipeline because "the world should see that the Prez has her views on issues of national importance and is a thinking person".

Focusing on women's issues and inclusive growth has been the thrust of her speeches. "Women's empowerment comes in every speech," says a Rashtrapati Bhavan official. No wonder Renuka Chaudhury, minister for women and child development, has found a friend in her. The president's support for the ever-pending Women's Reservation Bill and her concern for the girl child seems to have struck a right chord.

There are other areas too where a distinct take on things is apparent. When Patil talks of "liberated and independent" women, she also advocates the use of martial arts for self-defence. Few know that the demure, pallu-wrapped lady was an adept table tennis player in her youth, perhaps why she has been very supportive of sports causes. So when she heard the national hockey team complain of stepmotherly treatment even after it had won the Asia Cup, she made it a point to host a reception for the team. Hockey captain Prabodh Tirkey was overwhelmed, going so far as to say that for the first time he felt he had been given his due. Patil has also been quick to congratulate lesser known sportsmen—be it tribal boys from Orissa winning the under-14 international school rugby tournament in London or lady cricketer Jhulan Goswami winning an international award.

The food at the Rashtrapati Bhavan banquets is another area where the Prez has been particular. Even though Patil and her husband prefer a mix of simple Maharashtrian and Rajasthani food, she likes to be a good host. Case in point, the recent banquet for French President Nicolas Sarkozy which featured, among other things, moong dal pizza and baked fish. Journalist and food critic Vir Sanghvi has given his seal of approval. After attending the banquet, he wrote: "The experience of two decades has taught me to be wary of Rashtrapati Bhavan food. But this time, to my surprise, it was actually good." Sanghvi also made the point that "if someone was thinking of making moong dal pizzas then clearly someone is thinking differently".

The menu is approved by the Prez and she always tries to incorporate dishes that reflect the diversity of India. Last week, a banquet for Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had a range of dishes—avial from Kerala to mutton yakhni korma from Kashmir. Patil even wanted the right mix of music. So there was Thyagaraja Swamigal's compositions, hits of Kishore Kumar, Sonu Nigam and even the Beatles (Hey Jude) and Abba (I Have A Dream).

Though it hasn't been widely reported, Patil does meet a large number of ordinary folk. The President's position vis-a-vis visitors has been articulated by Rashtrapati Bhavan: "Any person can directly meet the Hon'ble President after seeking an appointment from her private secretary." There is a plaque outside the main gate which has the contact telephone and fax numbers. This too has been done under Patil's instructions.

Another pet cause has been women's groups, be it students from a girls' college in Hyderabad or a group from Kashmir. "There is a natural bonding with them," says an official. The Prez always ends her interaction emphasising the need for education of rural women. Even when she met the national bravery awards winners on the eve of Republic Day, she especially singled out the girl awardees—particularly Kumari Kanwar who had resisted her parents' attempts to marry her off at 13.

So, how far have the PR initiatives paid off? It's still early days, says the President's advisors who feel the media misgivings have not entirely been erased. "The press notes the smallest of things—like how she's sometimes late by a few minutes, unlike Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who tends to arrive before time. But the media never reported how Kalam could be late by as much as an hour," says a Rashtrapati Bhavan official. The Prez now has plans to travel more often across the country. Much like Kalam, she too would like to take her message to the masses. But a People's President? Well, as someone said, it's early days yet.