FIRST TRIBAL PRESIDENT OF INDIA

 

Droupadi Murmu, Age 64 years, is our 15th President of India from the 25th July 2022.

She is the first tribal president and also the first President to be born after Independence. And she is the youngest person to be elected to the highest office for the first time.

Modi aptly tweeted: "Droupadi Murmu ji's life, her early struggles, her rich service and her exemplary success motivates each and every Indian. She has emerged as a ray of hope for our citizens, especially the poor, marginalised and the downtrodden,"

Droupadi Murmu, after being sworn in as the President of India, said in her first speech gave the slogan 'sabka prayas aur sabka kartavya' (everybody's effort and duty) and assured the nation that the interest of women, youth and the poor would be paramount in her work as Rashtrapati.

Murmu underlined that she grew up in a tribal village and came up the hard way from a humble background where even availing basic education was difficult.

"I started my journey of life from a small tribal village in Odisha in the eastern part of the country. From the background that I come from, it was like a dream for me to get elementary education. But despite many obstacles, my determination remained strong and I became the first daughter of my village to go to college. I belong to a tribal society, I have got the opportunity to rise from serving as a ward councilor to become the President of India.“

Attributing it to the greatness of Indian democracy, Murmu emphasised that her rise was an achievement for every poor person in India.

“It is a tribute to the power of our democracy that a daughter born in a poor house in a remote tribal area can reach the highest constitutional position in India," she said.

She recalled that she had entered politics when India was celebrating 50 years of Independence and became President before it completes 75 years since attaining freedom.

Underlining the significance of the next 25 years, she said, "in these 25 years, the path to attain the goals of Amrit Kaal will proceed on everybody's effort and duty. The new development journey towards the bright future of India has to be undertaken by our collective efforts, following the path of duty."

Odhisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik congratulated Droupadi Murmu for emerging victorious in the presidential poll, saying it was a very proud moment for everyone in Odisha.

Patnaik said Murmu's journey from a humble beginning to becoming the first citizen of the country was an inspiring and a shining example of women's empowerment.

"It is indeed a very proud moment for everyone in Odisha that she has been elected for the highest office in the country," he said.