Droupadi Murmu is India’s new President and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces

New Delhi. “My elevation as President is not just my achievement but that of everyone in the country, that they can dream of reaching this level. Every poor person, every marginalised person has blessed me in this step and I feel honoured. I want to assure women and the youth that their interests are most important to me,” Droupadi Murmu declared on July 25 on assuming office as India’s 15th Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the first tribal and only the second woman to hold the post.

“Despite many obstacles, my determination remained strong and I became the first daughter of my village to go to college. I belong to the tribal society. I have got the opportunity to rise from serving as a ward councillor to becoming the President of India. This is the greatness of India, the mother of democracy,” Murmu said in her address after being administered the oath of office by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana in the Central Hall of Parliament.

The ceremony was attended by her predecessor, Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, members of the council of ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, Members of Parliament and civil and military officers.

Earlier, Murmu paid homage at the Raj Ghat Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.

“My election is a proof of the fact that the poor in India can have dreams and fulfil them too. And it is a matter of great satisfaction for me that those who have been deprived for centuries and those who have been denied the benefits of development, those poor, downtrodden, backwards and tribals are seeing their reflection in me,” Murmu said in her address.

Her elevation, she said, was a blessing to the poor of the country and reflected the dreams and potential of crores of India’s women and daughters.

“This election of mine also shows the courage of today’s youth of India who are ready to walk on new paths and shun the beaten tracks. Today I feel proud to lead such a progressive India. Today, I assure all fellow citizens, especially youth of India and the women of India that their interests will be paramount for me while working in this position,” Murmu said.

Noting that the country’s freedom struggle had laid the roadmap for India’s new journey as a nation, she said: “Our freedom struggle was a continuous stream of those struggles and sacrifices which had nurtured so many ideals and possibilities for independent India. This Amrit kaal, which commences with the 75th year of our Independence, is a period of new resolutions for India. Today I see my country inspired and ready to welcome this new era with new thinking. Today India is adding a new chapter of development in every field.”

In the past few years, Murmu said, a new energy has been infused in the country due to the decisions taken and policies formulated for women’s empowerment.

“I want all our sisters and daughters to be empowered more and more so that they continue to increase their contribution in every field of nation building,” she added.

Referring to the Covid pandemic, Murmu said: “The kind of capability that India has shown in combating the global crisis of Corona pandemic has enhanced India’s credibility all over the world. Just a few days ago, India set a record of administering 200 crore doses of corona vaccine. India not only took care of itself in these difficult situations but also helped the world.”

Pointing to a landmark global event to be held later this year, Murmu said: “In the coming months, India is also going to host the G-20 Group under its chairmanship. In this grouping, 20 big countries of the world will brainstorm on global issues under the chairmanship of India. I am sure that the conclusions and policies that will emerge from this brainstorming in India will determine the direction of the coming decades.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has wished President Murmu a fruitful tenure and said that her assumption of office is a watershed moment for India, especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden.

“The entire nation watched with pride as Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji took oath as the President of India. Her assuming the Presidency is a watershed moment for India especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. I wish her the very best for a fruitful Presidential tenure.

“In her address after taking oath, President Droupadi Murmu Ji gave a message of hope and compassion. She emphasised on India’s accomplishments and presented a futuristic vision of the path ahead at a time when India is marking Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav,” Modi said in a series of tweets.