By IANS
Sikar (Rajasthan) : It was jubilation time in Choti Losal village here Saturday as people danced to music played by a DJ in celebration of the almost foregone victory of daughter-in-law Pratibha Patil in the presidential poll.
Much before the result was declared officially for the July 19 poll, the hometown of Pratibha Devisingh Patil's in-laws erupted in joy.
The village, over 150 km from Jaipur, was agog with people animatedly discussing the poll, offering prayers and singing. Pratibha was married on July 7, 1965, to Devisingh Ransingh Shekhawat, who belongs to Choti Losal.
Devisingh's family had migrated to Amravati in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, more than a century ago. "People are singing and dancing to music played by a DJ who has been specially brought for the occasion," Savitri, a local resident, said.
"We have been praying for her win ever since her candidature was declared," she added.
The villagers also threw gulal colours on each other, just as they would do on Holi, danced to the beat of victory drums and burst firecrackers.
The women sang folk songs sung for celebrations and also danced to a special Rajasthani song – "Dadi Baniya Rashtrapati" (grand mother became president), coined specially for the occasion.
"She is our bahu (daughter-in-law). She has done us proud. We are following the counting trends through the public address system," a villager, Kiran Kanwar said.
Excited children were seen praying for "grand ma" while the elderly were saying that their daughter-in-law had earned respect for the village.
"She has brought name to this village. We have a population of around 3,500-4,000 and all are very happy," Sugam Singh, a 70-year-old villager, said.
"The entire village will be lit up by earthen lamps (diya) after she becomes president," Prem Kanwar, the village head, said.
"We will invite her to the village and give her a traditional welcome after she is sworn in," Kanwar said.
Her ancestral home in the village has been decked up. Villagers hope that she will bring lot of development to the area.
"She will certainly give a face-lift to this village after she becomes president," Ramesh, a college going student, said.