First female president takes office

India inaugurated its first female president yesterday, a move that has been touted as a boost for women in a country where they often face discrimination.

Some women, however, dismissed Pratibha Patil's appointment as mere tokenism and challenged her to make good on pledges to address gender discrimination.

Patil's black limousine was escorted through the streets of New Delhi by a company of soldiers clad in white uniforms and riding horses and she took the oath of office in a packed Parliament. The ceremony was followed by a 21-gun salute that could be heard across central New Delhi.