PROF RAMYA
In the annals of India’s democracy, few journeys are as moving and transformative as that of Smt. Droupadi Murmu, the 15th President of India. On the occasion of Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, her life story stands not only as a celebration personalof triumph but also as a tribute to the indomitable spirit of India’s tribal communities — their dignity, resilience, and quiet strength.
Born in the small tribal village of Uparbeda in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, Smt. Murmu’s rise from a life of modest means to the nation’s highest constitutional office is a story etched in courage and conviction. A proud member of the Santhal tribe, she grew up amid the rhythms of nature and the wisdom of her ancestors — lessons that would later shape her deeply empathetic approach to governance and public life.
- On Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, we salute a journey of grit and grace
- From the forests of Mayurbhanj to the corridors of power, Smt. Droupadi Murmu embodies India’s tribal spirit and democratic promise
- An inspiring saga of resilience, faith, and the triumph of inclusive leadership
The Power of Education and Determination
In a time and place where access to education was a distant dream, young Droupadi refused to be constrained by circumstance. The first girl from her village to attend college, she graduated in Political Science from Rama Devi Women’s College, Bhubaneswar, and began her career as a Junior Assistant in Odisha’s Irrigation and Power Department. Yet her heart remained with the people. As a teacher at the Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, she discovered her calling — nurturing young minds and empowering the community through knowledge.
Public Life Rooted in Service
Her political journey began in 1997, when she entered public service as a BJP councilor in Rairangpur. Her sincerity and strength of purpose soon saw her rise through the ranks. As an MLA from Rairangpur (2000–2009), she served as Minister for Commerce & Transport and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, championing rural empowerment, tribal rights, and inclusive growth.
When she became Governor of Jharkhand in 2015, she once again broke barriers — as the first tribal woman to hold the post in any Indian state. Her tenure was marked by moral courage and constitutional clarity. She stood firm to protect tribal land and forest rights, ensuring that the voice of the marginalized was heard at the highest level of governance.
A Journey Crowned by Faith and Fortitude
On July 25, 2022, Smt. Murmu ascended to the Rashtrapati Bhavan — becoming India’s first tribal woman President and the youngest ever to assume the office. Her election was not just a political milestone; it was a moral one — a moment that affirmed India’s faith in equality, inclusion, and the power of perseverance.
Behind her serene smile lies a story of extraordinary personal loss. Between 2009 and 2015, she lost her husband and two sons. Yet, through meditation, spirituality, and deep inner strength, she found the grace to continue serving others. Today, she stands as a symbol of hope, healing, and harmony — embodying the belief that leadership rooted in empathy can heal a nation’s soul.
A President for Every Indian
As President, Smt. Murmu has consistently championed women’s empowerment, tribal welfare, education, and sustainability. Her addresses to youth and community organizations echo her lifelong message — that every girl from every village has the right to dream, to learn, and to lead. Her life reminds us that the measure of true power lies not in privilege but in purpose.
Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s journey — from Uparbeda to Rashtrapati Bhavan — is more than an individual success story. It is a living chapter in India’s continuing story of social justice and democratic inclusion. On this Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the nation salutes not just its President, but its moral compass — a daughter of the soil who rose to become the guardian of its constitutional spirit.
(The author of this article, Prof Ramya, is an Indian Writer and Tribal Researcher from Tamil Nadu)
