It would be a fitting tribute to Indian democracy and Constitution to elect
Captain Lakshmi Sehgal as the President of our Republic. She embodies the
finest values of our freedom struggle and of our Constitution. Her
patriotism and nationalism are beyond question, as she has been a part of
the armed struggle to free India with Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. More than
that, she has been a voice for equality and justice for the underprivileged,
and has conducted her with compassion and dignity in the public life for
over a half century.

Lakshmi Sehgal knows what is meant by war; that is why she can never be a
warmonger. She also knows the difference between the war of freedom and acts
of terror. She is the first woman candidate for the post of President of
India. By electing her as the first citizen of this country - as
Rashtraadhyaksh and not mere Rashtra-pati, we will be honouring the
womanhood of our country. But beyond that, she will be perfect symbol
representing our national quest: secularism, equality, justice, compassion,
peace and friendship. All these qualities are of utmost importance for
India, at this juncture. The President of India has to be a person committed
and just to the values but to the fundamental rights granted and the
directive principles stipulated in the Constitution and to protect the
vulnerable sections, dalits, adivasis, our working class with courage and
political action. Laxmi Sahgal gives us a hope.

We have nothing personal against Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who may have been
an able scientist with a missionary zeal. His mission of nuclear
weaponization and the misconstrued aim of 'security' through the bomb, is
only to support and further the militarisation in oursub-continent and the
hegemonical agenda of the global nuclear club. The President of India hasto
lead the nation on deeper issues of political, social philosophy and
approaches. We beg to differ from his approach to the international policies
the issues he is supposed to be a ‘signal’. We are against aggressive
nationalism - harmful for our own common people and for the other nations.
We oppose militarization and nuclearization in our region and the world. We
want the benign nationalism, based on friendship and cooperation with our
neighbours and with every country, without special allegiance to any
superpower. We are an independent nation and our real security lies in our
equal and just relations with our neigh!
bours and within our region. For us, the real science is meant for reducing
the misery, hunger and poverty. Its real test lies in expanding the vision
of human being, our horizons and strengthening the feeling of oneness.

We want a just and sustainable development policy and paradigm in our
country dictated by the aspirations, rights and needs of our own common
people - in villages, forests, sea-shore, farms and tribal hamlets, in
workplaces and schools, colleges. It is the nation of these Indians - not of
the multinational-national capitalists. We want this country to be run by
the Indians- not by the NRIs and the Americans. By electing Lakshmi Sehgal,
the Indian political leaders will be sending this right signal to the
outside world - and to our own people also.

Many organizations and movements and crores of common women-men in India
want Lakshmi Sehgal as the President of India. We appeal to all the
progressive political parties and the Electoral College - the legislators
and Members of Parliament- to consider these issues and make Lakshmi Sehgal
our President, even if it is meant reviewing their earlier decision. Let us
put aside our narrow, partisan calculations and choose her as our first
citizen.

Medha Patkar
Narmada Bachao Andolan &
National Alliance of People's Movements