Terming her nomination for the President's post as a "big step for women", Pratibha Patil today said the UPA's decision reflected how much respect the fair sex gets in the country and would help in empowerment of women.Two days after being named the ruling alliance's candidate for the top constitutional post, the Rajasthan Governor arrived here and met UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh."My candidature for the top post is a big step for women... This shows that India has a lot of respect for women," 72-year-old Patil told reporters on her arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport here from Jaipur this morning.Expressing happiness at being selected as the UPA candidate, she said her candidature would "inspire" other women and help in their empowerment."(But) empowerment will not come automatically. They will have to work for it," Patil said as curious passengers jostled at the airport to catch of glimpse of the possible first woman President of the country.A senior Congress leader, Patil may face a contest from Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who is tipped to be an independent candidate with NDA backing.
