On July 1, 2025, Droupadi Murmu became India’s 15th President. She made history as the first tribal woman to hold this high office. Her life is a story of struggle, determination, and success. Born in a small village, she faced many challenges. Yet, she rose to become a role model for millions. This article tells the story of Droupadi Murmu’s life. It aims to inspire young readers and show how hard work can change lives.
Early Life And Family
Droupadi Murmu was born on June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda village. This village is in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. She belonged to the Santhal tribal community. Her family was poor. Her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, was a farmer. He also served as the village headman. Her grandfather was a headman too. Life in Uparbeda was simple but tough. There was no electricity. Roads were poor. Getting an education was not easy. Yet, Droupadi was determined to study. She loved learning from a young age. Her passion for education shaped her future.
School Days
As a child, Droupadi went to the local primary school. She was a bright student. She always stood first in her class. But studying was not easy. Her village had no proper facilities. Sometimes, she studied under a kerosene lamp. At the age of five, she moved to Bhubaneswar. This was for better studies. Leaving her village was hard. She missed her family. But she knew education was important. She worked hard and completed her schooling. Later, she joined Rama Devi Women’s College in Bhubaneswar. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was the first woman from her village to go to college. This was a big achievement.
Droupadi Murmu Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Qualification, Village
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Droupadi Murmu |
| Date of Birth | June 20, 1958 |
| Place of Birth | Uparbeda village, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha |
| Community | Santhal (Tribal) |
| Family Background | Father: Biranchi Narayan Tudu (farmer, village headman); Grandfather: Headman |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts, Rama Devi Women’s College, Bhubaneswar |
| Early Life Challenges | Grew up in a poor family; No electricity; Studied under kerosene lamp |
| Marriage | Married Shyam Charan Murmu (banker) in 1980 |
| Children | Two sons (deceased); One daughter, Itishree (works in a bank) |
| Early Career | Junior Assistant (1979–1983), Irrigation and Power Department, Odisha |
| Teaching Career | Teacher (1994–1997), Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Rairangpur |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| First Political Role | Councillor, Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat (1997) |
| MLA Tenure | Member of Legislative Assembly, Rairangpur (2000–2009) |
| Ministerial Roles | Minister of State for Commerce and Transport (2000–2002); Fisheries and Animal Resources (2002–2004) |
| Awards | Nilakantha Award for Best MLA (2007) |
| Governor of Jharkhand | First woman Governor of Jharkhand (2015–2021); Longest-serving governor |
| Key Action as Governor | Blocked land law changes in 2017 to protect tribal rights |
| Presidential Election | Elected as India’s 15th President on July 21, 2022; Took oath on July 25, 2022 |
| Historic Achievements | First tribal woman President; Youngest President at 64; First President born after 1947 |
| Key Focus as President | Education, health, tribal rights, unity; Promotes Indian culture abroad |
| International Visits | Visited UK, Suriname, Serbia, Mauritius, and more (2022–2025) |
| Personal Losses | Lost husband (2014) and two sons; Stayed strong for daughter |
| Cultural Contribution | Advocated for Santhali language inclusion in Constitution (2003) |
| Inspiration | Symbol of resilience, humility, and leadership for tribal communities and women |
First Job
After college, Droupadi started working. From 1979 to 1983, she was a junior assistant. She worked in Odisha’s Irrigation and Power Department. The job was simple but important. She handled small tasks with care. Later, she became a teacher. From 1994 to 1997, she taught at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur. She taught subjects like Hindi, Odia, mathematics, and geography. She never took a full salary. She wanted to serve her community. Her students loved her. She was kind and patient. Teaching gave her joy. It also showed her leadership skills.
Political Career
In 1997, Droupadi entered politics. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She started as a councillor in Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat. This was a small role. But she worked hard. People noticed her dedication. In 2000, she won a bigger role. She became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Rairangpur. She served two terms until 2009. During this time, she held important positions. From 2000 to 2002, she was Minister of State for Commerce and Transport. From 2002 to 2004, she handled Fisheries and Animal Resources. She introduced new ideas. Her work helped many people. In 2007, she won the Nilakantha Award. This was for being the best MLA in Odisha. Her honesty and hard work made her special.
Face Challenges
Droupadi faced many personal losses. She married Shyam Charan Murmu, a banker, in 1980. They had two sons and a daughter. Sadly, her husband died in 2014. Her two sons also passed away earlier. These losses were painful. She felt deep sorrow. But she did not give up. She stayed strong for her daughter, Itishree. Itishree works in a bank. Droupadi’s strength inspired others. She showed that courage can overcome grief.
In 2015, Droupadi made history again. She became the Governor of Jharkhand. She was the first woman to hold this post. She served from 2015 to 2021. This was the longest term for any Jharkhand governor. As governor, she worked for tribal communities. She focused on education and land rights. In 2017, she faced a big challenge. The state government wanted to change a land law. This could harm tribal people. Droupadi studied the issue. She listened to protests. She refused to approve the changes. The law was withdrawn. Her decision showed her fairness. She always put people first.
In June 2022, the BJP chose Droupadi as its candidate for President. This was a big moment. She campaigned across India. Many parties supported her. On July 21, 2022, she won the election. She defeated Yashwant Sinha with 64% of the votes. On July 25, she took the oath as President. She became the first tribal woman President. She was also the youngest President at 64. She was the first President born after India’s independence in 1947. Her victory was a proud moment for tribal communities. It showed India’s democratic spirit.
As President, Droupadi travels across India. She meets people from all walks of life. She speaks about education, health, and unity. She also visits other countries. In 2022, she went to the United Kingdom. She visited Suriname, Serbia, Mauritius, and other nations. She connects with Indians living abroad. She promotes India’s culture and values. Her speeches inspire hope. She talks about empowering the poor. She wants every Indian to dream big.
Life Lesson
Droupadi’s life is full of lessons. She faced poverty and loss. Yet, she never lost hope. She worked hard and stayed honest. Her journey shows that anyone can succeed. It does not matter where you come from. Hard work and courage are enough. She is a symbol of strength for tribal communities. She is also an inspiration for women. Her story tells young people to believe in themselves.
Books have been written about her life. One book is *Madam President* by Sandeep Sahu. Another is *Droupadi Murmu: From Tribal Hinterlands to Raisina Hills* by Kasturi Ray. These books share her struggles and achievements. They describe her as a quiet but strong leader. Her love for the Santhal language is also known. In 2003, she spoke to Prime Minister Vajpayee. She asked to include Santhali in the Constitution’s Eighth Schedule. Her efforts helped her community.
Droupadi’s life reflects the Santhal culture. Santhals love nature. They value simplicity. Droupadi lives these values. She is happy with little. She does not complain. Even as President, she remains humble. She listens to people. She works for their good. Her actions show her deep roots. She never forgets her village or her people.
Her story is not just about politics. It is about resilience. It is about rising above challenges. Droupadi faced gender bias as a child. Some boys did not want her to be class monitor. But her teacher supported her. She proved she could lead. This small event showed her strength. It was a sign of her future success.
Dreams
Today, Droupadi Murmu is a beacon of hope. She shows that dreams can come true. Her journey from a remote village to Rashtrapati Bhavan is remarkable. She teaches us to stay strong. She reminds us to help others. Her life is a message for young Indians. No matter how hard life is, keep going. Work hard. Stay true to your values. You can achieve greatness.
In conclusion, Droupadi Murmu’s life is a story of triumph. She overcame poverty, loss, and hardship. She became a teacher, a leader, and then President. Her journey inspires millions. She is a proud daughter of Odisha. She is a voice for tribal people. Her story tells us that anyone can rise. With hard work and heart, anything is possible. Droupadi Murmu is not just a President. She is a symbol of India’s spirit. Her life encourages every Indian to dream big and never give up.
