Early Life and Background
Droupadi Murmu (born June 20, 1958) is the 15th and current President of India, serving as the nation’s first tribal woman and the second woman overall to hold the office. She was born in the remote village of Uparbeda, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, into the Santhal tribe, one of India’s largest indigenous communities. Her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, and grandfather were traditional tribal leaders (Sarpanch), instilling in her a deep connection to tribal culture and grassroots governance.
Murmu grew up in poverty, walking miles to school in a region with limited infrastructure. Her early life was marked by resilience, shaped by the challenges faced by India’s tribal communities, including displacement and lack of access to education.
Education and Early Career – Droupadi Murmu
Murmu graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ramadevi Women’s College in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. She initially worked as a clerk in the Odisha State Irrigation and Power Department and later as a teacher at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur.
Her career shifted to public service in the 1990s when she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Her grassroots activism and advocacy for tribal rights, education, and women’s empowerment earned her recognition in Odisha’s political circles.
Political Career
- Local Governance:
- Elected as Councillor of the Rairangpur Notified Area Council (1997–2002).
- Served as Vice-Chairperson of the council, focusing on improving sanitation, water access, and education in tribal areas.
- State Politics:
- Won her first term as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Rairangpur in 2000 and 2004 as part of the BJP-BJD alliance.
- Appointed Minister of State with independent charge for Commerce and Transportation (2000–2004) and later Fisheries and Animal Resources (2004–2009) in the Odisha government.
- National Recognition:
- Became the first woman from Odisha to serve as National Vice President of the BJP’s Scheduled Tribes Morcha (2013–2015).
- Appointed Governor of Jharkhand (2015–2021), where she navigated political instability, promoted tribal welfare schemes, and earned praise for her impartiality.
Presidency (2022–Present)
Murmu was nominated as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for the 2022 presidential election, a historic move acknowledging India’s tribal communities. She defeated opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha with 64% of the electoral college votes, taking office on July 25, 2022.
Key Tenure Highlights:
- Advocacy for Marginalized Communities:
- Prioritized tribal rights, education, and healthcare, emphasizing the inclusion of indigenous languages and cultures in national policies.
- Launched initiatives to address malnutrition and infant mortality in tribal regions.
- Environmental Stewardship:
- Promoted sustainable development and conservation, aligning with India’s tribal ethos of living in harmony with nature.
- Ceremonial and Constitutional Role:
- As India’s head of state, she has upheld constitutional values, addressing the nation on critical issues like unity, diversity, and social justice.
- Played a pivotal role during government formations, including the oath-taking of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term in 2024.
- Global Diplomacy:
- Represented India at international forums, including the G20 Summit (2023), advocating for Global South interests and climate justice.
Personal Life and Challenges
Murmu’s life has been marked by profound personal tragedies:
- Lost her husband, Shyam Charan Murmu (a banker), in 2009.
- Survived the deaths of her two sons and her mother and brother within a span of four years (2009–2015).
- Credits her spiritual strength and dedication to public service for overcoming these hardships.
She is known for her simplicity, often wearing handwoven tribal sarees, and her advocacy for vegetarianism and yoga.
Awards and Recognition
- Nilakantha Award for Best MLA (2007) by the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
- Honorary doctorate from Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (2023) for contributions to tribal empowerment.
Legacy
Droupadi Murmu’s presidency symbolizes a milestone in India’s democratic journey, breaking barriers of gender and ethnicity. Her rise from a tribal village to the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) has inspired marginalized communities across the country. While largely ceremonial, her tenure has reinforced the importance of inclusive governance and India’s commitment to uplifting its most vulnerable populations.
Tenure: July 25, 2022 – Present
(Note: The President of India serves a 5-year term. Murmu’s term expires in 2027.)