Jubilant mood prevails in Pratibha Patil's hometown

Jalgaon, Maharashtra, June 14 (UNI) A jubilant mood prevailed in this district township of north Maharahtra, after Rajasthan Governor Dr Pratibha Patil turned out to be the choice of UPA-Left combine as the Presidential candidate.

A UNI correspondent, who had visited the two-storeyed family residence of Ms Patil in Dixitwadi locality, witnessed celebration all around with a large number of people distributing sweets and bursting crackers, after the news broke out.

''It was a great gift by God to our family and my beloved sister and it is a fruit of loyalty,'' reacted Ms Patil's younger brother Dr G N Patil, who stays with his family and another brother at their old family house.

Visibly excited, Dr Patil said, ''Mazi tai kharokhar khoop thor aahe,'' (My sister is really great that she was chosen for a great honour).

Mrs Patil, who is currently the only woman state governor in Rajasthan, originally hails from Nadgaon, a small hamlet about 50 km from Jalgaon.

Mrs Patil's brother said with her name being floated as a Presidential candidate, our small village will also find place on the world map.

Mrs Patil studied in the Raosaheb Roopchand Vidhyalaya, a Marathi Medium school till SSC. She later completed her MA from Mulji Jetha College here before studying Law in Mumbai, recalled Dr Patil, Mrs Patil's brother.

After taking over reins as Rajasthan Governor, she visited her hometown at least thrice, locals said.

She was president of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). She also runs her own educational institutes for the poor.

She was Table Tennis champion in her college days.

During her every visit, she spent most of her time in the education institute she runs in Jalgaon, said Dr Patil.

UNI