New Delhi: Ms Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India today. She was administered oath by Chief Justice of India N. V. Ramana at the Central Hall of Parliament. Speaking on this occasion, President Droupadi Murmu said, this is the beauty of Indian democracy that a poor lady from a far-flung area has become the President. She said, reaching the Presidential post is not her personal achievement, it is the achievement of every poor in India. She added that her nomination is evidence that the poor in India can not only dream but also fulfill those dreams.
Ms Murmu reiterated her resolve of working towards the upliftment of marginalized, and the empowerment of women and the young for the inclusive growth of the country. Saying that in the past few years, a new energy has been infused in the country due to the decisions taken and policies formulated for women’s empowerment, Ms Murmu added that she wants all sisters and daughters to be empowered more and more so that they continue to increase their contribution in every field of nation building.
Ms Murmu highlighted the spirit of new India and the emergence of the country as a global leader. The President said, in 75 years as a Parliamentary democracy, India has carried forward the resolve of progress through participation and consensus. She said, with full of diversities, the country is engaged in the making of ‘Ek Bharat – Shreshtha Bharat’, by adopting many languages, religions, sects, food habits, lifestyles, and customs. She added, that the Amritkaal, which commences with the 75th year of independence, is a period of new resolutions for India. She said, in these 25 years, the path to attain the goals of Amritkal will proceed on two tracks – ‘Sabka Prayas aur Sabka Kartavya’. Ms Murmu said, the new development journey towards the bright future of India has to be undertaken by the collective efforts, following the path of duty.
Ms Murmu greeted the nation on the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas saying that this day is the symbol of courage of country’s armed forces. She also remembered the contribution of freedom fighters and stressed the need to speed up efforts to meet the expectations that India’s freedom fighters had with the citizens of independent India. Appreciating the efforts of the country during the COVID pandemic, she said, administering 200 crore vaccine doses to the people of the country is a big achievement. The patience, courage, and cooperation shown by the people of the country in this entire battle is a symbol of India’s growing strength and sensitivity as a society. The President added that India not only took care of itself in these difficult situations but also helped the world. She said, in the atmosphere created by the Corona pandemic, today the world is looking at India with new confidence. Ms Murmu asserted that the international community has high hopes for India for ensuring global economic stability, ease of supply chain and peace.
Earlier in the morning, Ms Murmu paid tribute at Rajghat in the national capital ahead of her swearing-in. After that outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita extended greetings to Ms Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. They then reached the Central Hall in a ceremonial procession.
After the conclusion of the ceremony, the President left for Rashtrapati Bhavan where an Inter-Services Guard of Honour was given to her in the Forecourt, and courtesies were extended to the outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind.
Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of Parliament, and principal Civil and Military Officers of the Government of India were present in the Swearing-in Ceremony.
AIR correspondent reports that President Droupadi Murmu is the first tribal person and the second woman to hold the position.
The 64-year-old is the youngest President of the country. She is also the first President of India who is born after Independence. Ms Murmu joined politics in 1997 and was elected Councillor in Rairangpur Notified Area Council of Odisha. She served twice as an MLA from Rairangpur Assembly Constituency from 2000 to 2009 and once as a Minister for Commerce, Transport, Fisheries, and Animal Resources Development in Odisha Government. On 18th May 2015, Ms Murmu took oath as Governor of Jharkhand and stayed in the post till 12th July last year. She was the first woman Governor of the state and the first female tribal leader to serve as a Governor in any Indian state.