Droupadi Murmu Biography
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Droupadi Murmu |
| Birth Date | 20 June 1958 |
| Birth Place | Uparbeda village, Rairangpur, Odisha |
| Parents | Father: Biranchi Narayan Tudu |
| Education | B.A. from Rama Devi Women’s College |
| Spouse | Shyam Charan Murmu (Deceased) |
| Children | Two sons (both deceased) and one daughter |
| Early Career | Junior Assistant (1979-1983); Teacher (1994-1997) |
| Political Affiliation | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Political Positions | Minister of State, Odisha; Governor of Jharkhand; President of India |
| Honors | Nilkanth Award for Best MLA (2007) |
| Presidential Tenure | 2022-Present |
Droupadi Murmu Biography Early Life and Education
Born in the serene landscapes of Uparbeda village, Rairangpur, Odisha, on June 20, 1958, Droupadi Murmu, initially named Puti Tudu by her Santali family, embarked on her journey of life. The village’s agricultural terrain found its reflection in her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, a diligent farmer. Both her father and grandfather held the revered position of Sarpanch, guiding the village council.
Droupadi’s primary education began in her native village of Upar Beda. As she turned five, she moved to the bustling city of Bhubaneswar. Here, she pursued secondary education at Girl’s High School Unit-2 and later completed her B.A. from Rama Devi Women’s College.
Droupadi Murmu Personal Life
Droupadi married Shyam Charan Murmu, a dedicated banker, in 1980. Their union blessed them with two sons and a daughter. However, a series of tragedies struck the family, with Droupadi losing her husband, both sons, mother, and a brother between 2009 and 2015. Amidst personal losses, she found solace in the teachings of the Brahma Kumaris spiritual movement.
Admiration for India’s pioneers such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi, and B.R. Ambedkar found a special place in her heart, shaping her political and social ideologies.
Droupadi Murmu Initial Career
Before diving into politics, Droupadi’s career saw her working as a junior assistant in Odisha’s irrigation department from 1979-1983. Her dedication to service led her to the field of education where she taught subjects like Hindi, Odia, mathematics, and geography at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education and Research Centre, Rairangpur, from 1994 to 1997.
Droupadi Murmu Political Journey
Droupadi’s political journey began in 1997 when she was elected as a councilor of the Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat, representing an independent candidature from a reserved seat for women. This marked her entry into the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Her political acumen won her the 2000 Odisha Legislative Assembly election, representing the Rairangpur Assembly constituency. During her tenure from 2000 to 2009, she also held the position of Minister of State with Independent Charge for departments such as Commerce and Transportation, followed by Fisheries and Animal Resources Development.
Despite a setback in the 2009 Lok Sabha election, her dedication to service was recognized as she received the Nilkanth Award for Best MLA of the Odisha Legislative Assembly in 2007.
Droupadi Murmu Presidential Journey
2022 marked a pivotal moment in Droupadi’s career when the BJP, as part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), nominated her as their Presidential candidate. Facing opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha, Droupadi’s campaign witnessed her traveling across the country, securing support from various quarters. Her dedication and perseverance bore fruit when she secured 676,803 electoral votes, making her the 15th President of India.