Prez poll: Rajasthan village jubilant

As the news of Pratibha Patil winning the Presidential poll reached Choti Losal hamlet, residents broke into jubilation for their 'daughter-in-law'.

Overjoyed residents, including women and children, rushed out of their houses and started beating drums to celebrate Patil's victory over NDA-backed candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and offered sweets and candies to each other.

Several others danced to Rajasthani folk music.

Patil is married to educationist Devisingh Shekhawat, who belongs to the village in Sikar district, and hence she is regarded by its residents as their 'bahu'.

Sarpanch Prem Kanwar told PTI they were not sad that their 'daadosa' (grandfather) had lost, a reference to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who is also from Rajasthan.

"Daadji jeet gaya pan koi dukh nahien daadosa haar gaya (never mind if our grandfather has lost but our grandmother has won)," said a beaming Kanwar in his colloquial Hindi.

"We are not going to sleep tonight as it is a special day for our village which has made history and would be known for eras for giving a woman President," she said.

Retired policeman Bhagirath Singh said the day Patil was nominated as UPA's Presidential candidate, "We were sure that she would win."

"Despite the adverse campaign against her she will prove to be the best President of the country," he said.