Droupadi Murmu’s story of struggle to inspire millions for ages

By Nalini Sahu

Rairangpur, July 22: It’s an inspiring story to tell the world community. For Droupadi Murmu, it has been an incredible journey. From a nondescript village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district to Raisina Hill, Droupadi Murmu the 15th President-elect of India has traversed a long way. The journey was not that easy and smooth…it has been fraught with many odds and obstacles. Irreparable personal losses like deaths to her two young sons and husband in just a span of five years – between 2009 and 2014 – could not stand in her way. Though, at times, she felt the all roads for her had closed and life had no longer any meaning for, she decided to stay firm. She overcame all the hindrances with strong resolution and conviction, instilling hope and aspirations in millions of women and tribals of the country that they can also dream big like her and the Constitution is there to take care of their goals.

Born on June 20, 1958 in a Santali (Santhali) tribal family at Uparbeda village, Droupadi studied in village primary school up to Class V. As the village and its adjoining areas did not have higher education institutions, she went to Bhubaneswar with her paternal uncle and studied at Unit-II high school. Later, she pursued her intermediate and graduation courses at Ramadevi Women’s College, Bhubaneswar.

Financial condition of Droupadi was not that good. Her father Biranchi Narayan Tudu, a farmer, was finding it hard to feed his three children and parents.  She decided to contribute to her fathers and income and hence joined the state government job. She worked  as a clerk in the irrigation section of the state secretariat.

After her marriage to Shyama Sundar Murmu, a banker, Droupadi quit her government job and returned to her hometown in Rairangpur where she worked as teacher in Shri Aurobinda Integral School.

In 1997, she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the instance of Rajakishore Das, then a strong local BJP leader, and got elected to Rairangpur Municipality as a ward councilor. In 2000 and 2004, she got elected to Odisha Legislative Assembly and went to become a minister in the BJD-BJP coalition government.

On May 18, 2015, she was appointed Governor of Jharkhand and continued in that position till July 12, 2021.

During his stint as governor of Jharkhand, Droupadi returned two bills – Chhota Nagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act – to the BJP government led by Raghubar Das government for reconsideration as she felt that the pieces of legislation were anti-tribal. Thus, she proved that she was not a mere rubber stamp governor.

In 2009, Droupadi Murmu lost his eldest son Laxam Murmu and in 2012, he lost his younger son Biranchi Murmu. Both the sons were in their early 20s. In 2014, she lost her husband Shayama Sundar. She is now survived by her daughter Itishree. In an interview, Droupadi said after losing her two sons and husband, she literally slipped into depression and never imagined recovering from that. However, she took a spiritual path and recomposed herself.

Recounting Droupadi’s early days at her village, Chudamani Tudu, said, “Putu Didi (Droupadi’s nickname) was all along very helpful and benevolent. Despite all her financial constraints, she would try to help others who would approach her,” said Chudamani.

As the news broke in the evening that Droupadi was leading by a huge margin of votes over the Opposition presidential candidate Yaswant Sinha, celebrations started in a large-scale at her hometown Rairangpur.People came to the streets, sang and danced in rhythm amidst playing of tribal musical instruments. They hugged each other and distributed sweets among themselves.