Mrunal Manmay Dash

President Droupadi Murmu got emotional while addressing the students and faculty members during the second convocation ceremony of Rama Devi Women’s University in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

During her speech at her alma mater, President Murmu said, “The memories of college days watching a street vendor selling spicy peanuts with lemons and chillies at 25 paise are still fresh in my mind. Never had enough money to eat in the campus canteen, so I used to eat from street vendors.”

President Murmu who hails from a remote village in Mayurbhanj, had completed her education from the Rama Devi University, which was a college then.

“This institution will remain a source of inspiration in my life. I still remember the teachers who guided me in every aspect. I urge the students to take inspiration from legendary women personalities who took champion role in the freedom struggle. There are a lot of other women who have excelled in different fields and have immensely contributed to the society,” said Murmu.

Speaking on the societal imbalance and gender discrimination, Murmu said, “People in my village used to ask me the use of my studies. They would tell me that I will finally get married and all education will be of no use. But it has been proved many a times in the past that though girls are built physically differently than boys, they are as much stronger mentally.”

Murmu is on a 2-day Odisha visit. On Saturday, Murmu is scheduled to visit Lord Lingaraj temple and then inaugurate the second Indian Rice Congress at the National Rice Research Institute in Cuttack.

(Reported By Jagdish Das, Chandan Paikray, OTV)

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