Who Is Draupadi Murmu? The First Tribal Presidential Nominee

The BJP-led NDA announced Draupadi Murmu as its presidential nominee on June 21, 2022. She is the first Indian tribal woman to be nominated for President of India. If elected, she will be the second woman president and the first presidential candidate from a tribal community. See the following 8 facts about Draupadi Murmu:

1. She Belongs To The Santhal Community

(Image courtesy: Twitter)

Draupadi Murmu was born in Baidaposi village of Mayurbhanj district and belongs to the Santhal community. The primary occupation of the Santhal tribe is agriculture, however, reports indicate that they have started shifting to other occupations such as coal miners, laborers, etc. Santhals have a higher literacy rate than other tribes in India.

2. First Jharkhand Governor To Complete A Five-Year Tenure

Draupadi Murmu served as the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021 and became the first governor to complete the five-year term in the state. Jharkhand was formed in 2000. Also, she was the first Odia woman and tribal leader to be appointed governor of an Indian state.

3. Education

Draupadi Murmu attended Unit II High School in Bhubaneshwar. She completed her graduation from Rama Devi College, which is now a university.

4. Started Out As A Teacher

Before entering politics, Draupadi Murmu was a teacher at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education Centre, Rairangpur till 1997.

5. She Joined BJP In 1997

(Image courtesy: Twitter)

Draupadi Murmu joined the BJP in 1997, and she was elected as the councilor of the Rairangpur district of Odisha in the same year. In the same year, she also became the Vice - Chairperson of Rairangpur. This began her political journey.

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6. Family

Draupadi Murmu was married to Shyam Charan Murmu and they had three children together. But her husband passed away earlier due to a cardiac arrest. She also lost two of her sons, one under mysterious circumstances in 2009 and the other in a road accident in 2012. Her daughter works in a bank in Odisha.

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7. Best MLA Award

The former Odisha Minister Draupadi Murmu was awarded the ‘Nilakantha Award’ in 2007 by the Odisha Legislative Assembly for being the best MLA of the year.

8. If Elected, The First President To Be Born In Independent India

If Draupadi Murmu gets elected as the president, she will become the first Indian President to be born in Independent India.

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