Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s inspiring journey is a powerful example of how courage, hard work, and resilience can transform a life marked by hardship into one of historic achievement. For readers searching for real-life motivation, her story shows that even with poverty, personal loss, and repeated setbacks, it is still possible to rise to the very top.
Early life in a remote tribal village
Smt. Droupadi Murmu was born on June 20, 1958, in Uparbeda, a small village in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, to a Santhal tribal family.
Her childhood unfolded in one of India’s most underdeveloped regions, where poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to education were everyday realities.
Despite these challenges, she became the first woman from her village to complete a university education, studying in Bhubaneswar after finishing her primary schooling in the village.
This early focus on education laid the foundation for her future leadership and showed her community that a girl from a tribal background could dream bigger.
First steps in work and public service
Her professional journey began in 1979 when she joined the Odisha Irrigation and Power Department as a junior assistant.
Even at this stage, she chose a path of public service instead of a more comfortable private career, reflecting a mindset focused on contributing to society.
In the early 1980s she left the department job to focus on her growing family, showing how she balanced responsibility at home with her ambitions.
From 1994 to 1997, she worked as a teacher at Sri Aurobindo Integral Education and Research Centre in Rairangpur, where she shaped young minds and gained grassroots respect in her local community.
Entry into politics and rise in Odisha
Smt. Droupadi Murmu formally entered politics in the late 1990s, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and quickly emerging as a key tribal leader from Odisha.
She was elected as a Member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Rairangpur constituency, serving from 2000 to 2009.
During this period she held important portfolios, including Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Transport and later for Fisheries and Animal Resources Development in the Odisha government.
Her performance earned her the Pandit Nilakantha Das Best Legislator Award in 2007, a recognition given by the Odisha Legislative Assembly for exemplary work.
Major setbacks: electoral defeats and personal tragedies
Her journey was not a straight line to success; it included painful electoral and personal setbacks. She lost the 2009 Lok Sabha election from the Mayurbhanj constituency and was again defeated in the 2014 Odisha assembly election from Rairangpur.
These defeats could have ended her political career, but she chose persistence over withdrawal.
At the same time, her personal life was struck by deep tragedy: one son died in 2009, another in 2013, and her husband passed away in 2014.
These losses, following the earlier death of a daughter, meant that she experienced the unimaginable pain of losing multiple immediate family members in a short span, yet she continued to serve society instead of withdrawing completely.
Governor of Jharkhand: a historic role
In 2015, Smt. Droupadi Murmu was appointed Governor of Jharkhand, becoming the first woman to hold that post and the first tribal woman governor in a tribal-majority state. She served a full six-year term from 2015 to 2021, one of the longest tenures for a governor in that state.
During her time as governor, she earned a reputation for being steady, non-controversial, and people-focused.
Notably, she opposed proposed amendments to a long-standing land law that would have made it easier to use tribal land for commercial purposes, reflecting her commitment to protecting indigenous rights and land.
Making history as President of India
In 2022, Smt. Droupadi Murmu was nominated as the presidential candidate and was elected as the 15th President of India. With this, she became the first person from a Scheduled Tribe and only the second woman to hold the country’s highest constitutional office.
Her elevation to the presidency carried powerful symbolism for millions of marginalized citizens, especially tribal communities who had rarely seen themselves represented at the very top.
Her journey from a remote village to Rashtrapati Bhavan demonstrates that social background and economic hardship do not have to limit ambition.
Key ups and downs in her inspirational journey
Below is a quick view of the major highs and lows that shaped Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s inspiring journey.
| Phase | Ups (Achievements) | Downs (Challenges) |
|---|---|---|
| Early life | First woman from her village to earn a university degree | Childhood in poverty in a remote tribal area with limited resources |
| Early career | Government job and respected teacher in Rairangpur | Left secure job to manage family responsibilities |
| Odisha politics | Two-time MLA, minister, Best Legislator Award | Later electoral defeats in 2009 and 2014 |
| Personal life | Strong community respect and reputation for simplicity | Deaths of two sons, a daughter, and her husband over the years |
| National stage | Governor of Jharkhand; later 15th President of India | Faced skepticism from some who underestimated her due to her background |
Life lessons from Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s story
Readers can draw several practical lessons from Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s inspiring journey and apply them in personal and professional life. Her story is not just about titles; it is about mindset, discipline, and values.
Key lessons include:
Use education as a ladder: Even in an underdeveloped area, she treated education as the main path to change her circumstances.
Turn pain into purpose: Despite unbearable personal losses, she chose service and work over permanent retreat.
Accept setbacks but not defeat: Electoral losses did not end her career; they became stepping stones to larger roles.
Stay rooted in identity: She has consistently shown pride in her Santhal and tribal identity, inspiring others to value their own roots.
Lead with simplicity and integrity: Accounts from colleagues often highlight her modest lifestyle and calm, ethical approach to power.
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Practical inspiration for your own journey
To turn Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s inspiring journey into daily motivation, readers can follow a few actionable steps. These practices help align personal effort with long-term growth even when life feels unfair or overwhelming.
Write your challenges clearly
List your top three obstacles (money, study pressure, career confusion, family responsibilities).
For each, write one small action you can take this week, just as she focused first on finishing school and college despite limited resources.
Invest in learning every day
Dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to reading, online courses, or skill improvement instead of unplanned scrolling.
Remember how her education opened doors to government jobs, teaching, and politics over time.
Serve your community in small ways
Volunteer locally, help a student with homework, or join initiatives that benefit your neighborhood.
Her rise began at the local level in Rairangpur, where consistent service built trust before any high office arrived.
Build emotional resilience
Practice journaling, joining support groups, or speaking with trusted friends or professionals when dealing with grief or stress.
Her ability to continue working after repeated bereavements shows the power of inner strength and support systems.
Stay grounded as you grow
Even when success comes, keep your lifestyle simple and values clear, just as she is often described as modest and accessible even in high roles.
For additional context on her constitutional role, readers can check the official President of India profile and related constitutional resources.
Conclusion: Why Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s inspiring journey matters today
Smt. Droupadi Murmu’s inspiring journey, from a poor Santhal tribal girl in Uparbeda to the 15th President of India, proves that determination and integrity can cut through structural barriers.
Her ups and downs—poverty, personal grief, electoral defeats, state leadership, and finally the presidency—offer a practical roadmap for anyone who feels limited by background, finances, or circumstances.
Readers who feel stuck in their own struggles can look at her life as living proof that consistency, education, and service can slowly change everything. If this story motivated you, share it with others, leave your thoughts in the comments.
