1. Infobox 

Field	Details
Name	Droupadi Murmu
Image
Caption	President Droupadi Murmu in Rashtrapati Bhavan, 2023
Birth Name	Droupadi Tudu
Birth Date	June 20, 1958
Birth Place	Uparbeda, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India
Nationality	Indian
Citizenship	Indian
Other Names	None
Education	Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Alma Mater	Rama Devi Women’s College, Bhubaneswar
Occupation	Politician, Teacher, Social Worker
Years Active	1997–present
Known For	First tribal woman and second female President of India
Notable Works	Tribal welfare policies, Presidency of India, Governorship of Jharkhand
Spouse(s)	Shyam Charan Murmu (deceased)
Children	3 (two sons, one daughter; two sons deceased)
Parents	Biranchi Narayan Tudu (father)
Relatives	Member of the Santhal tribal community
Website	rashtrapatibhvn.gov.in

 

2. Early Life and Education

Droupadi Murmu was born on June 20, 1958, in the remote tribal village of Uparbeda, situated in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India. She belongs to the Santhal tribe, one of India's largest and oldest tribal communities, known for its rich cultural heritage and traditional lifestyle.

Her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, was a local village head (Sarpanch), and she grew up in a modest, rural household surrounded by forested land and tribal culture. Life in her village was tough, with limited access to electricity, healthcare, and educational resources.

Despite these challenges, Droupadi Murmu was determined to pursue education. She became the first girl in her village to go to college, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Rama Devi Women’s College in Bhubaneswar. Her commitment to education laid the foundation for her later career in public service.

3. Career

Career Beginnings

After completing her education, Murmu began her professional life in government service in 1979, working as a Junior Assistant in the Odisha Irrigation and Power Department. However, she soon shifted focus to grassroots education and worked as a teacher at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur from 1994 to 1997. This role marked the beginning of her journey in community service and public leadership.

Entry into Politics

Droupadi Murmu entered politics in 1997 as a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She was elected as a councillor of the Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat and later became its Vice-Chairperson. She quickly rose within the party ranks due to her dedication and leadership capabilities.

Legislative and Ministerial Roles

From 2000 to 2009, she served as a Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Rairangpur. During this period, she held key ministerial portfolios in the BJP-BJD coalition government, including:

• Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Transport (2000–2002)

• Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development (2002–2004)

She was recognized for her administrative skills, especially in advocating for the rural poor and tribal populations.

Governor of Jharkhand

In 2015, she was appointed as the Governor of Jharkhand, becoming the first woman to hold the post and the first tribal woman to become governor of an Indian state. Her six-year term was marked by efforts to protect tribal rights, often challenging state legislation that undermined indigenous land and forest rights.

President of India

On July 25, 2022, Droupadi Murmu made history by becoming the 15th President of India. She was the first tribal woman, second female, and youngest-ever President of India. Her election was seen as a monumental step toward inclusive representation in Indian democracy, especially for the tribal and marginalized communities.

As President, she has focused on themes of women’s empowerment, sustainability, education, and tribal welfare. She has traveled extensively across India to engage with grassroots organizations and student communities, often using her own life as an example of resilience.

4. Personal Life

Droupadi Murmu married Shyam Charan Murmu, a banker. Together, they had three children—two sons and one daughter. Tragically, between 2009 and 2015, she lost both of her sons and her husband, enduring immense personal grief.

Despite these tragedies, Murmu turned to spirituality and inner strength to persevere. She is known for practicing meditation and yoga, and is a follower of the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. She lives a simple and disciplined life, often described as calm, humble, and spiritual by those close to her.

She is also active in various social welfare programs, especially for women, children, and tribal populations.

5. Death and Legacy

Not applicable – Droupadi Murmu is currently alive and serving as the President of India.

However, her legacy is already significant, as she symbolizes hope and empowerment for millions of marginalized citizens, especially women and tribal communities. Her election was hailed as a transformative moment in Indian democracy.

6. Awards and Honors

• Nilkantha Award for Best MLA (Odisha Assembly) – 2007

• Honored by numerous NGOs and social organizations for her work in tribal welfare and women’s empowerment

• Honorary doctorates and citations from universities and institutions across India (pending formal announcements)

• Her presidency itself is widely considered one of the most symbolic honors for tribal empowerment in India's history

7. Bibliography / Filmography / Discography

There are no published works authored by Droupadi Murmu herself, but several biographies and documentaries are in development based on her life and career, such as:

• “The Tribal President” (working title – documentary)

• Biographies in Odia, Hindi, and English currently being written by scholars and journalists

8. References

1. Official Website of the President of India

2. “Droupadi Murmu elected as 15th President of India” – The Hindu, July 2022

3. “Who Is Droupadi Murmu?” – NDTV Special Report, July 2022

4. Press Information Bureau Releases on Presidential Office