Team News Riveting
New Delhi, July 25
Droupadi Murmu on Monday took oath as the 15th President of India and first tribal to occupy the position as the Constitutional head of the country.
Chief Justice of India N V Ramana administered the oath of office to Droupadi Murmu at the Central Hall of Parliament.
A native of Odisha’s Mayurbhanj, she recited famous Odia Saint poet Bhima Bhoi’s famous assertion ‘Mo Jeevana Pachhe Narke Padithau, Jagata Uddhara Heu (let my life remain inglorious, let the world achieve salvation) while addressing the nation after swearing in. She started her speech in local dialect and said: “Juhar! Namaskar! I humbly greet all the fellow citizens from this sacred Parliament, a symbol of the hopes, aspirations and rights of all the citizens of India. Your affection, trust and support will be my greatest strength in discharging my functions and responsibilities.”
She said that she was honoured to take charge during the Amrit Mahotsav, observed to mark India’s 75 years of Independence. Murmu appealed to people to work and dedicate their life for the welfare of the nation. “Let’s come together and work collectively to build a self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat),” she said.
She said Vocal for Local, Digital India and Startup India have all been instrumental in the rapid growth of India.
Throwing light on her journey from a small village in Rairangpur of Odisha to Rashtrapati Bhawan, Murmu said, “Even primary education was like a dream to me. I was the first person from my village to receive college education. Later, I worked as a teacher at Aurobindo Integral Education School in Rairangpur. I am very much inspired by the policy and ideology of Aurobindo.”
She continued, “From a ward councillor, I have adorned the throne of President. This is the power of our democracy that an adivasi has reached at the helm.”
“Becoming the President is not my personal feat but is the achievement of every poor in India. My nomination is proof that the poor in India can not only dream but also fulfill those dreams,” she said.
She also called upon the countrymen ‘to speed up efforts to meet the expectations that our freedom fighters had with the citizens of independent India.’
Earlier, she visited the Rajghat and paid homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi.
Also Read: Droupadi Murmu is now Madam President!
