• Thursday, March 28, 2024

HEADLINE STORY

Tribal dances erupt across India as Droupadi Murmu becomes its 1st tribal president

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Renu Devi with others celebrates as National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu gets closer to the victory, at the party office, in Patna on Thursday. (ANI Photo)

By: Shubham Ghosh

INDIA remained witness to a historic moment on Thursday (21) when Droupadi Murmu, a tribal leader from the eastern state of Odisha, emerged victorious in the country’s presidential election defeating opponent Yashwant Sinha by a big margin.

The 64-year-old’s win was not unexpected for many quarters, given the support she received from across the political spectrum. However, the celebrations that erupted after her win was confirmed were unique as they included tribal dances — across the country. Even Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s education minister, joined folk artistes in Delhi as they staged tribal dance even before Murmu was declared the winner by the election authorities.

ALSO READ: Droupadi Murmu becomes India’s 1st tribal president

In Murmu’s village Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, local people got ready for the celebrations a day ago anticipating that victory was just a matter of time. Local leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), India’s ruling party that backed Murmu, said preparations for 20,000 laddus (round sweet) and putting up 100 banners congratulating the leader were underway.

Bisweswar Mohanty, the head teacher of a government school where Murmu studied once, told Asian News International, “From 1968 to 1970, I was the Head Teacher, when she was studying in the school. I feel very proud to know about Droupadi Murmu. She was a brilliant student. I remember once, the students were asked to share what they want to become in future, students mentioned different professions, but when Murmu was asked, she stated that she wants to serve the people. Today I can connect to that,”

“She had also studied in this school. Tomorrow she is going to be the President of India. It is a matter of pride and happiness for us that we are studying in the same school. We are inspired by her,” a student named Tanushree told the news agency.

Celebrations also began at SLS Memorial Residential School in Odisha’s Pahadpur, which was founded by Murmu.

Tribal dance was also seen in the eastern state of Bihar over Murmu’s victory.

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