LEADING BY EXAMPLE

THE HONOURABLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA DROUPADI MURMU IS A FORCE TO RECKON WITH FOR ALL THE RIGHT REASONS. THIS IS A HOMAGE TO THE PERSON BEHIND THE TITLE AS HERS IS AN INSPIRATIONAL STORY OF TRUE COURAGE AND COMPASSION

- Shraddha Kamdar

I started my journey from a small town in Odisha… where acquiring even elementary education was like a dream. Despite the hurdles, my resolve was strong, and I became the first daughter of the village to go to college. Having been born in a far-flung region in the tribal community, I have had the opportunity to go from Ward Councillor to President. This is the greatness of a democracy such as India. Being in this position is not only my personal achievement, it is the achievement of every economically disadvantaged girl in the country. This is testimony to the fact that the economically disadvantaged can not only dare to dream in our country, but also have opportunities to realise them.”

India’s 15th President Droupadi Murmu in her speech after she took the oath in July 2022 

An advocate for equality from her school days, the young Droupadi Murmu voiced her concern when a few boys protested that she – “a girl” – could not become the monitor of the class, despite her having fulfilled the precondition of standing first. Her teacher backed her and gave her the position, which she fulfilled with utmost diligence, not only indicating her potential for leadership but also for being just.

She was so zealous to acquire education that she didn’t miss a day of school, no matter the work she had to manage at home. In an interview after she became President, she mentions that she would walk to school barefoot as she did not have footwear. She never missed a day; an incident describes her having swum a flooded nullah to reach school on a rainy day, arriving completely drenched yet ready to study!