India’s first President from a marginalised tribal community, Droupadi Murmu, said on Monday after being sworn in that her election was an “achievement of every poor person in the country”.
Droupadi Murmu’s elevation to India’s highest constitutional post has been seen as an important gesture of goodwill by PM Narendra Modi to the communities that make up more than 8% of its 1.4 billion people ahead of a general election due by 2024.
"For thousands of years, my tribe has lived in harmony with nature. I have realized importance of forests & water bodies in my life. Taking resources from nature & serving it with equal reverence are mutually beneficial" –
Smt #DroupadiMurmu during her swearing-in ceremony pic.twitter.com/Idi3CxkHY0
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) July 25, 2022
Droupadi Murmu, a former teacher and state minister from Modi’s BJP , is the second woman to hold the largely ceremonial role of President. She was born into a poor family of the Santhal tribe from the eastern state of Odisha.
“My election is proof of the fact that the poor in India can have dreams and fulfil them too,” Murmu, 64, said in a speech in parliament after taking the oath of office.
“It is a matter of great satisfaction for me that those who have been deprived for centuries and those who have been denied the benefits of development, those poor, downtrodden, backwards and tribals are seeing their reflection in me.”
“In the light of the Constitution, I will perform my duties with all faith. For me India’s democratic-cultural ideal and all countrymen will always be my source of energy. Today I assure all the countrymen, especially the youth and women of India that their interests will be paramount to me while working on this post. My election includes the blessings of the poor of the country, a glimpse of the dreams and strength of the women and daughters of the country “,Droupadi Murmu added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described Droupadi Murmu assuming the Presidency as a watershed moment for India especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden.
In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said, the entire nation watched with pride as Droupadi Murmu took oath as the President of India. He said, in her address after taking oath, President Murmu gave a message of hope and compassion.
The Prime Minister said, Ms Murmu emphasised on India’s accomplishments and presented a futuristic vision of the path ahead at a time when India is marking ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’. PM Modi wished her for a fruitful Presidential tenure.
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President Droupadi Murmu PM Modi Administration Kolkata
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