On July 15, 2025, Droupadi Murmu took oath as the 15th President of India. She made history as the first tribal woman and the second woman to hold this high office. Her life is an inspiring story of courage and hard work. Born in a small village, she faced many challenges. Yet, she rose to become a powerful leader. This article tells the story of Droupadi Murmu in simple words. It shows how she overcame struggles to reach the top.
Early Life And Family
Droupadi Murmu was born on June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda village. This village is in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. Her family belonged to the Santhali tribal community. Life was not easy for them. They were poor, and the village was remote. Her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu, was a farmer. He also served as the village headman. Her grandfather was a headman too. They worked hard to serve their community. Droupadi’s early life was full of hardships. But she was determined to study and make a better life.
Challenges
As a young girl, Droupadi faced many difficulties. Her family could not afford much. She walked to school barefoot. She had only two dresses to wear. She washed them and wore them alternately. At home, she helped with chores. She cleaned the house, washed dishes, and fetched water. Despite these tasks, she loved learning. Her father wanted her to study. He was ready to sell his land to pay for her education. Droupadi studied hard at the village school. At five, she moved to Bhubaneswar for better studies. She completed her secondary education there. Later, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rama Devi Women’s College. She was the first woman from her village to graduate from college.
After her studies, Droupadi started working. From 1979 to 1983, she was a junior assistant in Odisha’s Irrigation and Power Department. Later, from 1994 to 1997, she taught at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre in Rairangpur. She taught subjects like Hindi, Odia, mathematics, and geography. She never took a full salary for her teaching. She wanted to help the school and its students. Her kindness made her popular in Rairangpur. This was the start of her journey to serve others,
Droupadi Murmu Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Education, Salary, Cast, Family
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Droupadi Murmu |
| Birth Name | Durgi Biranchi Tudu (also named Puti Tudu by parents) |
| Date of Birth | 20 June 1958 |
| Place of Birth | Uparbeda, Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, India (Santhali tribal family) |
| Community | Santhal (recognized tribal community) |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts, Rama Devi Women's College, Bhubaneswar |
| Early Career | Junior Assistant, Odisha Irrigation Department (1979–1983); Teacher, Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Rairangpur (1994–1997) |
| Political Party | Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) |
| Political Career | Councillor, Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat (1997); Member, Odisha Legislative Assembly (2000–2009); Minister of State (2000–2004); Governor of Jharkhand (2015–2021) |
| Awards | Nilkanth Award for Best MLA, Odisha Legislative Assembly (2007) |
| Presidency | 15th President of India (since 25 July 2022); First tribal person and second woman to hold the post; Youngest and first president born post-independence |
| Spouse | Shyam Charan Murmu (deceased 2014) |
| Children | Itishri Murmu (daughter); lost two sons |
| Notable Works as President | First President to launch 'Pradhanmantri TB Mukht Bharat' (TB eradication initiative), first to inaugurate Karnataka’s Mysuru Dasara, extensive outreach in Northeast India |
| Personal Challenges | Endured the loss of her husband, two sons, and a brother between 2009 and 2015, but remained active in public life |
Entered Politics
In 1997, Droupadi entered politics. She joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She was elected as a councillor in Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat. It was a seat reserved for women. She worked hard for her town. In 2000, she became the Chairperson of Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat. That same year, she won a seat in the Odisha Legislative Assembly from Rairangpur. She served as an MLA until 2009. During this time, she worked as a minister in Odisha’s government. From 2000 to 2002, she was Minister of State for Commerce and Transport. From 2002 to 2004, she handled Fisheries and Animal Resources Development. Her work was honest and effective. She won the Nilakantha Award as the Best Legislator in Odisha. This was a proud moment for her.
Achievement
In 2015, Droupadi achieved another milestone. She became the Governor of Jharkhand. She was the first woman and tribal leader to hold this post. She served from 2015 to 2021. As governor, she worked for tribal welfare. She protected tribal land rights. In 2017, she refused to approve a bill that could harm tribal lands. This decision showed her strength and fairness. She also supported education and women’s rights. Her work as governor earned her respect across India.
Presidency
In June 2022, the BJP chose Droupadi as its candidate for President of India. This was a big moment. She campaigned across the country. Many parties, like BJD, YSRCP, and JMM, supported her. On July 21, 2022, she won the presidential election. She defeated Yashwant Sinha with 64% of the votes. At 64, she became the youngest President of India. She was also the first President born after India’s independence in 1947. On July 25, 2022, she took oath as President. The Chief Justice of India gave her the oath. It was a day of pride for India’s tribal communities.
Personal Life
Droupadi’s personal life was full of pain. She married Shyam Charan Murmu, a banker, in 1980. They had two sons and a daughter. Sadly, her husband died in 2014. Her two sons also passed away. One son, Lakshman, died in 2009. The other, Shipun, died in a road accident. She also lost her mother and brother in the same month. These losses broke her heart. But Droupadi found strength in spirituality. She followed the Brahma Kumaris, a spiritual group. Meditation helped her heal. She focused on serving others to overcome her grief. Her daughter, Itishree, is now her only surviving child.
As President, Droupadi works for the people. She travels across India to meet citizens. She supports tribal welfare and women’s empowerment. She also promotes education for girls. In 2022, she launched a program to fight tuberculosis. She has visited countries like the UK, Suriname, Serbia, and Mauritius. She meets the Indian diaspora to strengthen India’s global ties. Her speeches inspire people. She talks about unity, spirituality, and progress. On Teachers’ Day 2022, she honored 46 teachers with National Awards. Her work shows her love for India.
Life Story
Droupadi’s life is a story of resilience. She faced poverty as a child. She lost her loved ones. Yet, she never gave up. Her journey from a small village to Rashtrapati Bhavan is inspiring. She shows that hard work can change lives. Her rise gives hope to tribal communities. It tells young girls they can achieve big dreams. She is a role model for millions. Her simple lifestyle makes her special. Even as President, she remains humble. She practices Raja Yoga meditation to stay calm.
Books have been written about her life. One book, “Madam President” by Sandeep Sahu, tells her story. Another book, “Droupadi Murmu: From Tribal Hinterlands to Raisina Hills” by Kasturi Ray, shares her journey. These books show her struggles and victories. They inspire readers to follow their dreams. Droupadi’s story is also on social media. Posts on X call her a beacon of hope. They praise her courage and leadership. Her life encourages everyone to keep moving forward.
Journey
Droupadi Murmu’s journey is unique. She started as a teacher in a small town. She became a councillor, then an MLA, a minister, and a governor. Now, she is India’s President. Each step was full of challenges. But she faced them with grace. Her story teaches us to be strong. It shows that anyone can rise with effort. She is the pride of Odisha and India. Her life proves that dreams can come true, no matter where you start.
In conclusion, Droupadi Murmu’s biography is a tale of hope. She broke barriers as a tribal woman. She faced poverty, loss, and struggles. Yet, she reached the highest office in India. Her story inspires young Indians. It tells them to work hard and never give up. As President, she serves with kindness and wisdom. She is a true leader. Her life shows that even a girl from a small village can change history. Droupadi Murmu is a shining example for all.