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President Droupadi Murmu’s journey—from a remote tribal village, through personal tragedies, to becoming the first tribal and youngest President of India—is truly inspiring. Her life is a remarkable story of resilience, humility, and determination.
Hailing from a remote tribal village in Odisha, she overcame deep personal losses—including the deaths of her husband and two sons—and rose through the ranks of public service with grace and grit. A trailblazer in every sense, she became the first tribal and youngest-ever President of India.
Her journey reflects unwavering dedication to education, tribal welfare, and simple living, making her an enduring symbol of hope and empowerment for millions across the country. As the loving President celebrates her 67th birthday, here are some lesser-known and fascinating facts about her:
1. Born after Independence: She's the first President of India born post-1947—on June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda village, Odisha.
2. Birth Name & Teacher’s Renaming: Originally named Puti Tudu, she was later renamed Droupadi by a school teacher, inspired by the resilient epic hero from the Mahabharata.
3. Roots in Tribal Leadership: Both her father (Biranchi Narayan Tudu) and grandfather were local sarpanchs (village heads) in the Santhal community
4. From Humble Beginnings to Higher Education: She was the first woman from her village to graduate university—earning a BA from Rama Devi Women's College in Bhubaneswar
5. Early Career: Government Assistant & School Teacher: Employed as a junior assistant (1979–83) in Odisha’s Irrigation Department. Later, she taught at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education & Research Centre from 1994 to 1997
6. Spiritual Discipline: A devoted practitioner of Raja Yoga through the Brahma Kumaris movement—she credits this for helping her cope with personal losses and stressful responsibilities
7. Family: Life of Loss & Resilience: She married banker Shyam Charan Murmu in 1980; tragically, she lost two sons (in 2009 & 2013) and her husband in 2014. She has a daughter, Itishree Murmu, who works in banking.
8. Political Firsts: First tribal and second woman to serve as President. She is the youngest to take office (at age 64). She was the first tribal, non-Odisha woman to be Governor of Jharkhand (2015–21)
9. Defending Tribal Rights: While Jharkhand Governor, she returned two land-related bills to the government in 2017 in response to petitions from tribal communities.
10. Celebrating Cultural Roots: She actively promotes tribal culture, language, and education, and is widely respected for her simple, grounded lifestyle despite holding high office
11. Upholding Inclusivity at the Top: In May 2025, she administered the oath to Justice B.R. Gavai, marking a historic moment — India’s first tribal President swearing in India’s second Dalit and first Buddhist Chief Justice.
