“As a close neighbour, India has been committed to assist the Lankan people,” President Murmu said. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi: Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India on Monday by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana at a ceremony at Parliament’s Central Hall, New Delhi. Murmu, 64, became the youngest and India’s first tribal woman President.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed her assuming the Presidency a watershed moment for India, especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden.
Why Is Droupadi Murmu’s Success Story Historic
Murmu’s journey from the councilor of Rairangpur Nagar Panchayat, Mayurbhanj, Odisha in 1997 to being elected as President of India is undoubtedly remarkable but it’s not only a success story of an individual from marginalised community but a glorifying saga of Indian democracy.
One can say that the beauty of Indian democracy is at its peak as the 75-year-old democratic dispensation showed the great capacity of the democratic process that enables a common tribal woman to claim the top post via going through the route that starts from local bodies-Panchayat and ward councilor.
Murmu’s story is an ideal one to manifest the strength of the hierarchy of the electoral system of India. She went through the journey from the first step on the ladder of the system to the top post of the Indian constitution. She was elected as councilor in 1997. Murmu served as MLA for two terms between 2000 and 2009 in Odisha. She was a state minister in the Naveen Patnaik Cabinet from 2000 to 2004.
Her election as President of India manifests the flawless democratic process in which a common Indian citizen can dream to hold the top post of India.
Narendra Modi’s rise as the chief minister of Gujarat and later the Prime Minister of India is also touted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an indication of the vibrancy of Indian democracy.
In the past, too, Indian democracy showed an inspiring and exemplary picture. Between 2004 to 2007, India had a Prime Minister and President from the minority community and Vice President from the majority. All three were in office at the same time for three years.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh (May 22, 2004–May 26, 2014 ) a Sikh, President APJ Abdul Kalam (July 25, 2002–July 25 2007) a Muslim and Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (August 19, 2002– July 21, 2007) a Hindu – these all three were in office during UPA government and discharged their duty with the highest dignity.
These episodes of Indian democracy tell the world why the root of Indian democracy is strong. Indian democracy is always admired for caring for all religions, castes, creeds and communities without inflicting any differences upon them.
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