Pratibha hosts reception at the Mughal Gardens

New Delhi, Aug 15 (UNI) President Pratibha Patil hosted a reception at the sprawling Mughal gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhawan on the occasion of Independence Day today.

It was the first time Mrs Patil hosted the customary "At Home" after she took over as President last month.

Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister I K Gujral were seated along with Mrs Patil. Her husband Dr Devi Singh Shekhawat was also present.

Several cabinet ministers, senior military and government officials, diplomats, retired bureaucrats and defence officials attended the reception besides many other dignitaries.

A beaming Mrs Patil went round the crowd and conveyed her gratitude to them. The women present there told her that they were proud of her becoming the "first woman President" of the country.

The 45 minute reception was followed by tea.

Interestingly, the South Indian menu, a permanent feature during her predecessor A P J Abdul Kalam's reception, was missing this time.

UNI