The Inspiring Journey of President Droupadi Murmu

Droupadi Murmu’s extraordinary journey began in Uparbeda village, where her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, followed the local tradition of placing an earthen pot, called puti, beneath a banyan tree to bring rain. Miraculously, rain arrived shortly after her birth on June 20, 1958.
Grateful for the rain and the arrival of a daughter in a predominantly male family, Tudu named her “Puti.” However, her name went through several changes due to the preferences of her teachers, finally settling on “Droupadi,” as she is known today.
In the Santhali tradition, a girl child is named after her paternal grandmother to preserve the name. Droupadi Murmu embraced her education with a passion and became the first girl in her village to attend college, despite facing financial hardships and having to perform household chores alongside her studies.
Her determination to learn led her to overcome numerous challenges. Droupadi Murmu would walk barefoot to school and even swim through a flooded nullah during heavy rains to ensure she never missed a day of education.
Droupadi’s dedication impressed her teachers and classmates, who recognized her academic excellence and leadership qualities. Despite opposition from some boys who doubted her abilities, her teacher, Basu Sir, supported her and appointed her as the class monitor.
Throughout her life, Droupadi shattered gender barriers and achieved numerous firsts, including becoming a minister in the Odisha government, winning the Nilakantha Award, and eventually serving as the President of India.
Her inspiring journey serves as a testament to the power of determination and education in overcoming societal challenges and achieving greatness.
Re-reported from the article originally published in Scroll