India's first woman president savors victory

NEW DELHI (AFP) - India's first female president, Pratibha Patil, savored her election win Sunday as supporters hailed the victory as significant for the cause of women in the South Asian nation.

The 72-year-old lawyer defeated Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat by a landslide Saturday for the largely ceremonial post of head of state of the world's largest democracy.

Supporters danced and burst firecrackers in the streets of the capital after she was declared winner, as a beaming Patil thanked federal and state legislators who formed the electorate.

"I am grateful to the voters... I am grateful to the people of India, the men and women of India," said Patil who officially takes over the job July 25.