Adrija Sen
July 22, 2022
Let’s welcome Draupadi Murmu, the new President of India who will take office in the Rashtrapati Bhavan during India's 75th year of Independence.
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At 64, Murmu is the first tribal person and the second woman to become the nation’s First Citizen. She is also the youngest President and the first one to be born after India gained independence.
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Murmu was born on June 20, 1958, in Baidaposi, Odisha. She was the first girl in her village to go for higher studies. After her graduation from Rama Devi Women's College, she began working at the Odisha Irrigation Department and later proceeded to do public services.
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Before entering politics, Murmu also worked as an Assistant Professor at Shri Aurobindo Integral Education and Research Institute in Rairangpur, Odisha.
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She began her political career as the Vice-chairman of the Rairangpur NAC (National Advisory Council). In 2007, Murmu was awarded Best MLA of the Year by the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
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On May 18, 2015, she took oath as the first woman Governor of Jharkhand and served as the longest-serving governor of the state from 2015 to 2021.
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She held the portfolio of Commerce and Transport in the Odisha government and was credited with having set up transport offices in all 58 subdivisions during her tenure.
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In the past, Murmu did not shy away from withholding support and disagreeing with bills that were passed by the government of the party that she belonged to. This earned her great admiration and respect.
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She is known to often weigh in on issues that tribal communities face. As a tribal leader, she has inspired many in her community, mainly women, to dream big. Leading by example, Murmu will take oath as the 15th President of India on July 25, 2022.
Image Source: Wiki Commons