The largest democracy got its 15th President on 25 July 2022.
What comes to your mind
when you think of the new President?
First “Tribal President”?
“Second Woman President
of India”?
“Tribal Woman President”?
President Droupadi Murmu is much more.
Murmu Madam is not just representative of the 8.6 % tribal population
of India, or the 48.46% female population of India (Figures as per the 2011
Census); rather she is India’s President.
In the nation where a Chaiwala
is the Prime Minister, the President is this self-made citizen belonging to “the
poorest of the poor family” from a “small village”, and ex-Teacher, Councillor,
MLA, Minister, and Governor!
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| Credit: ANI |
Respect the Roots
Ashamed of the gender or
tribe or humble roots?
Where we come from should not be our excuse or something needs to be avoided or hidden; rather, it must be our strength and we must be comfortable and proud to accept and acknowledge. Many are shy or ashamed of their roots or family. Once successful, some never want to face them again. How will the structure be strong when the foundation is on shaky ground?
Dream it & Do it
President Murmu said that her nomination is evidence that the poor in India “can not only dream nut also fulfill those dreams.”
One critic feels- “Elevation of one person to
the top post is welcome but it will not enhance the living standards of
Schedule Tribes.”
In the words of a critic- “Recent bill is going
to snatch forest land for corporate to the detriment of Scheduled Tribes many
of who live in forests. Will Droupadi Murmu raise voice. No.”
A critic shared- “Symbolic development is not important.”
Role-Model
President Murmu said
that it is satisfying to her that “the poor, Dalits, backward, the tribals” can
see her as their reflection.
When faced with obstacles
and adversity, some break; while others like President Murmu break records.
They just keep going. What matters is the indomitable spirit, will, courage,
confidence, and stamina.
Madam’s present position
and journey speaks volumes. Despite personal loss and having lost both her sons
and husband, she never gave up and continued.
Morning Shows The Day; Education Paves The Way
Madam President used to
rank first in her class. She had also been the class-monitor in her
school.
She was the first girl
from her village Uparbeda, a remote place in Rairangpur tehsil, Mayurbhanj
district of Odisha, who went to study outside. She went to the state-capital
Bhubaneswar to do her schooling, and, then, she continued her studies at the
Rama Devi Women's College there. She was the first woman graduate of her village.
Village on the World Map!
Madam, now their village, town, district, and
state is in the news and more people have heard and learned about "Uparbeda",
“Rairangpur”, "Mayurbhanj" of Odisha, India.
They celebrated
"utsaba" (festival); and they are so happy that they are “celebrating
all festivals”!
Social Service with a Smile
Droupadi Madam shared
wonderful words in her inspiring inaugural speech with terms like- "Vocal
for Local", "Atmanirnirbhar
Bharat", "sabka prayaas aur sabka kartavya", "nishta aur
lagan", "ekjut", "jagat kalyan", "kartavya
path" and many such. She continued working for social causes like a
true karamveer and has sorted many problems and issues for others.
Madam President shared
these Odia words by quoting Odisha’s famous poet and saint Bhima Bhoi:
"Mo jibana pachhe
narke padithau...Jagata udhara heu"
Meaning in Hindi:
"Apne jeevan ke
hit-ahit se bada- jagat kalyan ke liye karya karna hota hai."
Translation in English:
"Working for the
welfare of the world is greater than own interest."
Symbol of Empowerment
Initially, when Madam
was nominated, some made fun of her first name and also her tribal background.
Now, many are hailing
Madam’s selection and election as ‘tribal empowerment’ and ‘women empowerment.’
It is no doubt-
“empowerment”.
Both tribals and women
are considered weak. And a “Tribal Woman” is even weaker…
Apart from being the symbol and triumph of empowerment, Madam President also represents hope, courage, sustainability, simplicity, humility, and the power of education. She empowered others too after being empowered herself.
Hail Mother!
In her speech, Madam
Murmu also shared that all must take care of the environment. She expressed
that service to nature is everyone's responsibility. Nature means Mother Nature
and Mother Earth.
During Madam Murmu's
swearing-in ceremony, “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and "Vande Mataram" could
be heard from the audience. India is our motherland.
In a past speech of Madam
Murmu, she states that Odisha is her motherland where she was born and learned
to walk and studied.
In Sanskrit, it is said-
“Janani Janmabhoomischa swargat api
gariyasi”. It means: Mother and motherland are greater than heaven.
President Murmu is a
mother and a grandmother also. May this mother of our motherland be blessed.
It is great that Mother India now has a great mother as our nation’s President.
For many like me, her
nomination and election has been wish-fulfilling, cathartic, overwhelming, and
emotional.
Bande Utkala Janani.
Vande Mataram
Bharat Mata Ki Jai.
More about Madam Murmu-
Vocal For Local - President Droupadi Murmu
My first article published on Women's Web on July 27, 2022 is about Madam Murmu-
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