President-elect Pratibha Patil on Saturday described her win as the "victory of the principles," which the people of the country uphold.

"I am grateful to the voters. I am grateful to the people of India, the men and women of India," Pratibha said soon after she defeated National Democratic Alliance-backed independent candidate Bhairon Singh Shekhawat with a big margin of over three lakh vote value.

"This is the victory of the principles which our Indian people uphold," Pratibha, the first woman to occupy the country's highest office, told mediapersons waiting outside her residence in Delhi.

Pratibha, who emerged victorious in perhaps the most bitterly fought presidential election, flashed the victory sign.

Earlier, Lok Sabha Secretary General P D T Achary, who is returning officer for the elections, gave Pratibha the certificate of her election to the highest office in the country.

A large crowd of supporters gathered outside her residence to celebrate her victory as leaders arrived to congratulate her.