Srimati Droupadi Murmu, once languishing as a Santhal child in the Uparbeda village of the Baidaposi area of Rairangpur, Odisha, now occupies the top position in the Republic of India. There is so much to say about Droupadi Murmu, the 15th President of India, but there, probably, is more to present as evidence of the growth of the republic as an inclusive whole, where the distribution of opportunity is ample and clear. The village where Shrimati Murmu grew up did not even have a high school. Yet, she realised the strength of education and strove to get herself armed with all necessary skills that helped her move from strength to strength, all the time striving to benefit society, the hapless people of who she was once part.
The greatness of Shrimati Murmu and of this great country lies in the humility in power and in grounded philosophies that preclude societal divisional ideas. This has happened twice now, proving that India is a nation of spiritual thoughts, before it is an economic superpower
The last time it was the tenth President of India, Shri K. R. Narayanan, born in a poor family in Perumthanam, Uzhavoor village, in the princely state of Travancore (present day Kottayam district, Kerala). He rose to become vice-president and then President of the Republic, the first person from the Dalit community to hold either post. Narayanan had to walk to school for about 15 km every day through paddy fields, and was often unable to pay the modest fees.
No level of hardship could hold back these great souls from leading the country to greater heights. They will live in our hearts as bright beacons for generations to come. These are the people we need to emulate, to be fair and hard working and caring. With the world full of self-serving people, such great souls not only provide us joy, but also give us hope that not all is lost. We will still prevail.
