Droupadi Murmu is the 15th President of India, sworn in on July 25, 2022. Born on June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda, Odisha, she hails from a Santhali tribal family. Her early life was marked by poverty, but she persevered to become the first woman from her village to complete a university education, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rama Devi Women’s College in Bhubaneswar[1][4]. Murmu's career began outside politics, working as a clerk in the State Irrigation and Power Department from 1979 to 1983, and later as a teacher in Rairangpur from 1994 to 1997[3][4]. She entered politics in 1997 with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and served as a councilor in Rairangpur. Her political journey included being a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2009 and holding ministerial positions in the Odisha government[6][7]. Notably, Murmu served as the Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021, becoming the first tribal and female governor of the state[3][4]. Her presidency marks her as the first tribal individual and the second woman to hold the office, following Pratibha Patil[1][3]. Murmu is also the youngest person and the first born in independent India to assume the presidency[1][3]. As President, Murmu continues to focus on empowering marginalized communities and deepening democratic values[4]. Her personal life has been marked by challenges, including the loss of her husband and two sons, but she remains committed to public service[6]. Her appointment as President was seen as a significant milestone, symbolizing progress and representation for tribal communities in India[8].
#healthcare #underserved_communities #disparities
President Murmu urges young doctors to dedicate themselves to serving underserved communities and highlights the crucial role they can play in addressing healthcare disparities.