It is official. Pratibha Patil is the President of India.

Yes, there were last minute allegations against her. Yes there were unnecessary faux pas in the run up to the Presidential election. And, yes, the opponent, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat was seen as a man who could garner support cutting across party lines.

But there never was any doubt that Patil will emerge triumphant. She had all the things going for her from the time she was nominated.

Loyalty to the Gandhi family. Tick. Acceptable to the Left. Tick. India's first woman President. Tick. Numbers by her side. Tick.

And thus on the evening of July 21, India met its 13th President.