Jalgaon celebrates Pratibha Patil's win

Jalgaon, July 21 (UNI) The entire Jalgaon district today celebrated Mrs Pratibha Patil's election as the first woman President of India.

People had started flocking to Mrs Patil's residence near the civil hospital in the Dixitwadi locality since early morning, sure of her win but speculating on what the margin would be.

The people had already started dancing to the tunes of ''dhol'' and ''tasha'' much before the results were declared. After 1500 hours, they had even started distributing sweets. And, once the results were declared, it was celebrations galore and the news was greeted with the bursting of crackers.

Jalgaon city wore a festive look and all the squares were decorated and festooned.

The R R School, where Mrs Patil had studied, also celebrated the elevation of its alumnus to the highest post in the country. The 3,000 students of the school gathered today and celebrated her victory. These students had also held prayers yesterday for her win.

''This is the happiest moment of our lives,'' members of Mrs Patil's family said.

Her brother Mr G N Patil told UNI that Tai (elder sister)'s elevation as the President was a moment of glory for the entire state.

He also thanked Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray for his support, saying Mr Thackeray had been true to his word.

The Jalgaon residents, meanwhile, have planned a ''Pratibha Gaurav Yatra'' tomorrow.

UNI