Droupadi Murmu, India’s first tribal president, took oath as the 15th President of the country on Monday. In her inaugural address, she promised the youth and women of India that “their interests will be paramount” for her during her time in office.
“I want all our sisters and daughters to be empowered more and more so that they continue to increase their contribution in every field of nation building. I want to tell the youth of our country that you are not only building your own future but also laying the foundation of the India of the future,” Murmu said.
Prime Minister @narendramodi called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, first time after her assumption of office yesterday. pic.twitter.com/o8C0IiVGCZ
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 26, 2022
Murmu opened her address by noting that the country “will complete 75 years of its independence…a few days from today,” noting that it was “a coincidence” that her “political career started when the country was celebrating its 50th year of independence.” “And today, in the 75th year of independence, I have been assigned this new responsibility. It is my great privilege to be given this responsibility at such a historic time when India is engaged with full vigour in realising its vision for the next 25 years,” she declared.
The new president called on the nation “to work at a fast pace… to fulfil the expectations of our freedom fighters from the citizens of independent India,” adding that the task would require everyone’s effort and duty. “The new development journey towards the bright future of India has to be undertaken by our collective efforts, following the path of duty,” she proclaimed.
This letter from Prime Minister @narendramodi has deeply touched me. I take his kind and heartfelt words as a reflection of love and respect fellow citizens have showered on me. I am sincerely grateful to you all. pic.twitter.com/8GBBMnwvYf
— Ram Nath Kovind (@ramnathkovind) July 26, 2022
The 64-year-old politician also spoke of her humble beginnings “from a small tribal village in Odisha.” “I belong to tribal society. I have got the opportunity to rise from serving as a ward councillor to becoming the President of India. This is the greatness of India, the mother of democracy,” she remarked. The President thus asserted that her new role is “a tribute to the power of our democracy that a daughter born in a poor house in a remote tribal area can reach the highest constitutional position in India.”
The new leader added that her election to the top office was not a “personal achievement” but “the achievement of every poor person in India.” She went on to say that her election was “a matter of great satisfaction,” as “those who have been deprived for centuries and those who have been denied the benefits of development, those poor, downtrodden, backwards and tribals,” can see “their reflection” in her. “It reflects the dreams and potential of crores of women and daughters of the country,” she argued.
The entire nation watched with pride as Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji took oath as the President of India. Her assuming the Presidency is a watershed moment for India especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. I wish her the very best for a fruitful Presidential tenure. pic.twitter.com/xcqBqRt2nc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 25, 2022
Murmu said that over the last 75 years, “India has carried forward the resolve of progress through participation and consensus,” and that it is “adding a new chapter of development in every field.”
She also praised the Indian government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting, “The kind of capability that India has shown in combating the global crisis of Corona pandemic has enhanced India’s credibility all over the world.” “Just a few days ago, India has set a record of administering 200 crore doses of corona vaccine. India not only took care of itself in these difficult situations but also helped the world,” she added.
In her address after taking oath, President Droupadi Murmu Ji gave a message of hope and compassion. She emphasised on India's accomplishments and presented a futuristic vision of the path ahead at a time when India is marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. pic.twitter.com/I2DEO5wHbO
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 25, 2022
The President also noted that India is going to host the G-20 Group under its chairmanship in the coming months. “In this grouping, twenty big countries of the world will brainstorm on global issues under the chairmanship of India. I am sure that the conclusions and policies that will emerge from this brainstorming in India will determine the direction of the coming decades,” she said.
Murmu entered politics as a councillor in Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat in Odisha in 1997 and then twice served as a BJP MLA for Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj in 2000 and 2009. She also became the Commerce and Transport Minister and later the Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Minister during the BJP-Biju Janata Dal (BJD) coalition government in 2000. In 2007, Murmu was awarded the Neelkanth award for being the best MLA in Odisha, with lawmakers calling her a “compassionate and balanced” administrator who remained “accessible and down to earth.”
LIVE: President Kovind addresses the nation on the eve of demitting office https://t.co/RonFNeCIAG
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 24, 2022
The Indian president is the constitutional head of state and the commander of the armed forces. They work at the advice of the PM and the council of ministers and can dissolve the lower house of parliament, approve bills that are passed by both houses of parliament, can appoint members to the upper house of parliament, appoints both the prime minister and the chief justice, can dismiss governors, can grant pardons, and has the power to declare war or peace with any country on the advice of the PM and his/her cabinet. Furthermore, all treaties signed with foreign countries are signed in the name of the president.
Murmu replaces Ram Nath Kovind, who served in the role from 2017 onwards.