Droupadi Murmu

Droupadi Murmu is the 15th and current President of India, having taken office on 25 July 2022. She is the first person belonging to a Scheduled Tribe and the second woman, after Pratibha Patil, to hold the office. Her election represents a significant milestone in the political representation of indigenous communities within the Government of India.

Early life and education

Born on 20 June 1958 in Uparbeda, a village in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, she hails from the Santhal tribal community. She completed her schooling in the area before pursuing higher education in the state capital, Bhubaneswar. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rama Devi Women's University, formerly known as Rama Devi Women's College. Before entering public life, she worked as a clerk in the State Government of Odisha's Irrigation and Power Department and later served as a teacher at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur.

Political career

Her political career began with the Bharatiya Janata Party in Odisha. She was elected as a Councillor to the Rairangpur Notified Area Council in 1997. She served two terms as a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from the Rairangpur constituency, winning in 2000 and 2004. During this period, she held the portfolio of Minister of State with independent charge in the Government of Odisha under the Biju Janata Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government, overseeing departments including Commerce and Transport and later Fisheries and Animal Resources Development. Between 2015 and 2021, she served as the Governor of Jharkhand, becoming the first woman to hold that position and completing a full term.

Presidency

Nominated as the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Alliance in 2022, she secured a decisive victory over opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha in the 2022 Indian presidential election. She was sworn in by Chief Justice of India N. V. Ramana in a ceremony held in the Central Hall of Parliament. Her tenure has been marked by a focus on tribal welfare, sustainable development, and education. As president, she has addressed both houses of Parliament, granted assent to key legislation, and represented India on state visits to countries like Serbia and the United Kingdom.

Personal life

She was married to Shyam Charan Murmu, a banker, until his death in 2014. The couple had three children: two sons and a daughter. She has endured profound personal tragedy, having lost both her sons and her husband within a short span. Her daughter, Itishree Murmu, works in the banking sector. A devout practitioner, she follows the Sarna religious tradition.

Awards and honors

In recognition of her public service, she has been honored with the Nilakantha Award for best MLA by the Odisha Legislative Assembly. As President, she is the ex-officio Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces and the recipient of several state honors, including the ceremonial National Security Guard 'Black Cat' commando guard. In 2023, she was conferred an honorary doctorate by Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University. Her portrait was unveiled in the Parliament House in 2024.

Category:Presidents of India Category:Bharatiya Janata Party politicians Category:Women governors in India Category:21st-century Indian women politicians