President Droupadi Murmu, who is on a two-day visit to Odisha after assuming the office of the President of India, visited her alma maters and inspired students to study well and make it big in life.
On the second day of her visit, President Murmu on Friday morning first visited Tapoban High School in Khandagiri. She got a rousing welcome at the school where she began her schooling.
She was accompanied by Odisha Governor Prof. Ganeshi Lal and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Students, teachers and local residents were equally elated to see the President Madam and spend time with her.
Many students, who had waited for hours, were more than happy to see her in person. Even, the President Madam was elated and recalled her school days.
Murmu also presided over a small meeting and inspired the students to study well before leaving for the Girls’ High School in Unit-2.
Amid tight security, she arrived at the Girls' High School where she was accorded a grand welcome by her school classmates, students and teachers. Among the attendees were BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi and State Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash.
After meeting the President, Aparajita Sarangi said, “A young girl who once studied in this school has now become the President of this country. I want to pay my respect to this school. We are all very proud of her.”
Classmates of the President were delighted to meet their school friend after a long 48 years, but were left disappointed as she could not spend more time with her.
“We are very happy and sad at the same time. We are so happy that we got to meet her after 48 long years. But, unfortunately, we could not spend more time with her due to the protocols,” a fellow schoolmate of Murmu said.
On the other hand, many common people also thronged the schools to get a glance of the President Madam. However, they had to return disappointed as they could not meet her.
Earlier, a ‘divyang’ admirer of the President was also spotted with a flower bouquet with hopes to meet the President. A local said that he was trying to meet her since yesterday.
“Yesterday, I tried to go to Puri and meet her, but I couldn’t. Today, I have been waiting since the morning to meet her and at least shake hands. But, I couldn’t meet her in person. But, I’m not disheartened as I got a chance to at least see her. She also waved her hands at us and that is enough for us,” he said.
After visiting her alma maters, President set off for Jayadev Bhawan where she was scheduled to launch engineering books translated into Odia.