By Ravinder Singh Robin

Sao Paulo (Brazil), Apr14 : The Non-Resident Indian (NRI) women in Sao Paulo were a thrilled lot to see first Indian woman President Pratibha Patil visiting their place of livelihood.

The President landed at Sao Paulo Airport of Brazil on Sunday, the first stopover of her 12-day long tour to Latin American countries. On the occasion, the Ambassador of India to Brazil, Hardeep Singh Puri hosted a dinner in her honour.

At the dinner the President met with the Indian community residing in Sao Paulo. The NRI women audience looked very excited to have the first woman President among them.

"She is the first women President of India. She is a lawyer by profession. It is our pleasure and our honour that she is today in Brazil. India is moving in the 21st century with so much happening with economy and in all the fields," said Preeti Lamba, an NRI woman.

Sumati, another NRI woman who works with Unilever, said: "We have been waiting for this event. It makes me very proud to have somebody like her, the first lady taking on such a big responsibility. I think it is a great sign for the world that India is giving out, because if you look at even the most developed countries, having a lady President is an honour and a privilege. It just gives out a right message that you want to give the world that India is progressing in the right direction."

Meghna Prakash, whose husband is a businessmen in Brazil, said, "I think it is a very good move politically. I think it will strengthen the relationship between the two countries."

ANI