- Tuesday, November 26, 2024
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
#WATCH | Delhi: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan joins folk artists as they perform a tribal dance to celebrate as NDA's Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu leads against Opposition's Yashwant Sinha after the end of the first round of counting. pic.twitter.com/bSiCLkipPl
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2022
#WATCH | Folk artists perform a tribal dance at Mother Teresa Crescent Road in Delhi, to celebrate as NDA's Presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu leads against Opposition's Yashwant Sinha after the end of the first round of counting. pic.twitter.com/wHQlpQmzwE
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2022
#WATCH | Celebrations break out outside NDA presidential candidate Droupadi Murmu's residence in Delhi as she crosses the 50% mark of the total valid votes at the end of the third round of counting in the election. pic.twitter.com/1uMpQKmSoq
— ANI (@ANI) July 21, 2022
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.
Over 10,000 laddus being prepared at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj dist of Odisha for celebration in anticipation of Droupadi Murmu’s appointment as President. The election result will be announced today #DroupadiMurmu #President #Odisha @NewIndianXpress @Siba_TNIE pic.twitter.com/A6yKwIik1C
— Siba Mohanty (@Siba_TNIE) July 21, 2022
As Draupadi Murmu inches towards victory celebrations at her native place in Odisha's Rairangpur.
This is a proud moment for every Odia!
Jai Jagannath ? https://t.co/7P8ZR6WuSm— Maitree. ମୈତ୍ରୀ. मैत्री (@MaitreeBaral) July 21, 2022
Presidential to-be #DroupadiMurmu house in Rairangpur illuminated ahead of the counting day today. pic.twitter.com/AGcEYoqpWd
— Ashok Pradhan (@AshokPradhanTOI) July 21, 2022
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.
Celebration Begins in Bihar by Tribal Family in anticipation of the big win of Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji@JPNadda @blsanthosh
— BJP Scheduled Tribe Morcha (@BJPSTMORCHA) July 21, 2022
