Courage under fire: Droupadi Murmu's political graph saw abject poverty, personal loss & spiritual gains
The indomitable spirit of Droupadi Murmu has helped her brave many hurdles.
By ET Online | Updated:
Agencies
Droupadi Murmu will likely be India’s first tribal woman president.
She may become the first tribal woman to be the president of the world’s largest democracy, but 64-year-old Droupadi Murmu seems to remain unaffected. Hours after she hit the headlines and became one of the top Twitter trends following a presidential nomination by the ruling National Democratic Alliance, and a personal endorsement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, life continued as usual for this longtime BJP politician. The Governor of Jharkhand, seemingly unaffected by her new status, was snapped sweeping the floors at a Shiv Temple in Rairangpur in Odisha.
#WATCH | Odisha: NDA's presidential candidate Draupadi Murmu sweeps the floor at Shiv temple in Rairangpur before o… https://t.co/bPJZgFobpL
Murmu is likely to create history as the second woman President of India. A native of the Santhal district from Odisha, Murmu comes with an assortment of experiences, in public and political life. Right from an early stage, she has dedicated her life to serving the poor and the downtrodden, something that was highlighted by the PM himself in his tweet on Tuesday.
Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji has devoted her life to serving society and empowering the poor, downtrodden as well as the… https://t.co/2i9FBQpWIC
Murmu’s simplicity seems to come from her humble beginnings. In a February 2020 interview, the politician opened up about her political journey. “I come from the poorest of the poor families and never expected I will take up politics. I had plans to study and get a regular job to support my family financially. However, there have been several incidents in my life that led to me quitting my job,” Murmu told the host of the show 'Ek Mulakat'.
Murmu began her career as a teacher at a public school in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. “As the kids were growing up, I had enough time and I was looking for work. I started as a teacher without pay and later worked with social organisations to uplift villagers hailing from the remotest parts of Odisha,” she said.
Murmu has defied odds and cultural stigmas to serve the people, battling stereotypes generally associated with a career in politics. Impressed by her work for the socially backward people, many persuaded her to take full-time social work which eventually led her to become an MLA and later a minister. Governor Draupadi Murmu along with Chairman of Jindal Steel and Power Limited Naveen Jindal at the inauguration of 108 feet tall mast carrying tricolor at Jharkhand war memorial in Ranchi in 2020.“I come from a society that is very rigid when it comes to perceptions about women and they would raise questions on any woman stepping outside the confines of their homes. They, generally, perceive politics as a dirty business,” she had said. Murmu was elected as BJP MLA in 2000 from Rairangpur and in 2009 from Mayurbhanj. She was in the presidential race in 2017. She was also the Minister for Commerce and Transport and Fisheries and Animal Husbandry during the BJP-BJD coalition in Odisha.
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2015, Murmu became the first woman Governor of Jharkhand. The reticent leader lost her husband Shyam Charan Murmu and her two sons. Jharkhand Governor Draupadi Murmu meets President Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Murmu has been chosen as the BJP-led NDA's candidate for presidential elections in 2022.On Spirituality And Surviving Tragedies In 2009, she lost her 25-year-old son. "I was devastated and suffered from depression, spent sleepless nights after my son’s death. It was at this juncture I visited Brahma Kumaris. I realised I had to move on and live for my two sons and daughter," Murmu had said admitting that she was always drawn to spirituality.
Even as she was recovering from the loss, in 2013 Murmu’s second son died. The social worker-turned-politician said that it was yet another jolt to her. Murmu sought comfort in Yoga, meditation and counselling to overcome the phase. After losing her second son, Murmu lost her brother and mother in the same month. Despite the successive losses, Murmu kept doing her work toward social change. However, a year later in 2014, her husband died. She later persuaded her daughter to take the spiritual route.
Will Droupadi Murmu Be The Next Pres? A Look At Women Presidents Across The World
1/10
While there have been several famous female prime ministers across the world, female presidents have also deftly ruled countries, made policies and steered government towards growth & prosperity. Here’s a look at them.
While there have been several famous female prime ministers across the world, female presidents have also deftly ruled countries, made policies and steered government towards growth & prosperity. Her..
Read More
A tribal leader from Odisha, Droupadi Murmu was recently selected by the ruling party as their upcoming Presidential candidate. If elected Murmu would become the first tribal President, and the second female president of India. Murmu has come a long way after starting her career as a teacher, and was even considered for the presidential post when Pranab Mukherjee retired.
A tribal leader from Odisha, Droupadi Murmu was recently selected by the ruling party as their upcoming Presidential candidate. If elected Murmu would become the first tribal President, and the secon..
Read More
Pratibha Patil was the first female President of India, elected in July 2007. Prior to that, she was the Governor of Rajasthan, from November 8 2004 to June 21, 2007. She started out her career as a lawyer and worked towards the upliftment of women, and underprivileged children.
Pratibha Patil was the first female President of India, elected in July 2007. Prior to that, she was the Governor of Rajasthan, from November 8 2004 to June 21, 2007. She started out her career as a ..
Read More
Bidya Devi Bhandari is the first female president to be elected by the parliament of Nepal on 28 October 2015 after the promulgation of the constitution. She was also elected for a second term in 2018. Bhandari was actively inducted into student politics early in life and later married Mr. Madan Bhandari, a prominent communist leader, who died under mysterious circumstances. The couple had two daughters together.
Bidya Devi Bhandari is the first female president to be elected by the parliament of Nepal on 28 October 2015 after the promulgation of the constitution. She was also elected for a second term in 201..
Read More
She is an educator and the first female president of Taiwan. Tsai has a doctorate degree in law and has studied in prestigious universities like Cornell and London Tsai became interested in politics in early 1990s when she was appointed as a trade-policy adviser in the administration of Pres. Lee Teng-hui.
She is an educator and the first female president of Taiwan. Tsai has a doctorate degree in law and has studied in prestigious universities like Cornell and London Tsai became interested in politics ..
Read More
Katerina Sakellaropoulou, a judge born in 1956, became the president of Greece in 2020. As the first female president of Greece, she assumed office on 13 March 2020. An environmentalist at heart, She had previously taught environmental law at the National School of Judges. Apart from that she had also been a member of the Society of Greek Judges for Democracy. On the personal front, she has a daughter and lives with her partner.
Katerina Sakellaropoulou, a judge born in 1956, became the president of Greece in 2020. As the first female president of Greece, she assumed office on 13 March 2020. An environmentalist at heart, She..
Read More
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic served as the President of the Republic of Croatia from January of 2015 to February of 2020. She also served as the chair of the council of women world leaders from 2019 to 2020. She is the recipient of the President’s medal for science, social and political work, and during her academic career had received the Luksic scholarship for management training at the Kennedy School of Government Harvard University.
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic served as the President of the Republic of Croatia from January of 2015 to February of 2020. She also served as the chair of the council of women world leaders from 2019 to 2..
Read More
President Samia Suluhu Hassan became the President of the United Republic of Tanzania in March of 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli. Despite taking up office in the middle of the pandemic, she worked hard to put a Covid response in place. She kickstarted the vaccination program in August 2021 and has been a champion of public health safety.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan became the President of the United Republic of Tanzania in March of 2021 following the death of President John Magufuli. Despite taking up office in the middle of the pa..
Read More
Halimah Yacob is Singapore's eighth President, and the first female to take office in this role in Singapore. Prior to election, she was a speaker at the parliament. She comes from humble beginnings. After her Indian father passed away at the age of eight she was raised by her mother. She began her political career in 2001, and almost ten years later she climbed up to the position of the Minister of Community Development. As a President she has worked towards recognising workers' contribution to Singapore’s growth.
Halimah Yacob is Singapore's eighth President, and the first female to take office in this role in Singapore. Prior to election, she was a speaker at the parliament. She comes from humble beginnings...
Read More
Kersti Kaljulaid is the first female President of Estonia, elected to office in 2016. However, her career beginning was far away from government offices, as she started as a sales manager of telephone switchboards in Eesti Telefon. She veered towards politics later on and also served as Prime Minister Mart Laar's Economic Advisor from 1999 to 2002.
Kersti Kaljulaid is the first female President of Estonia, elected to office in 2016. However, her career beginning was far away from government offices, as she started as a sales manager of telephon..
Business News › Magazines › Panache › Courage under fire: Droupadi Murmu's political graph saw abject poverty, personal loss & spiritual gainsText Size:AAA
