A young girl was born into the Santhal tribal community, in the remote district of Mayurbhanj in Odisha in 1958. This young girl grew up to be Mrs. Droupadi Murmu, the 2nd woman President and the youngest President of India. Murmu’s life, punctuated by huge personal tragedies and professional challenges, offers profound insight into the unwavering spirit that kept her going throughout.
Early Life
Born in a modest household in Odisha, Draupadi Murmu completed her graduation as the first of her three siblings to have attended college. Her maternal grandmother motivated her to study well. She always wanted to support her family therefore she started working soon after her education. Murmu worked as a junior assistant in the state irrigation department and later as a teacher before starting her political career with the Bharatiya Janata Party. Droupadi Murmu was married to Mr. Shyam Charan Murmu, a bank employee and the couple had three children, one daughter and two sons. She started working as a teacher once her kids grew up and was known among people for her social work.
Personal Losses and Grief
The true test of Murmu’s resilience came from her personal life. She experienced unimaginable grief after enduring the loss of her husband and two young sons. She also lost her mother and brother in the same month which added exponentially to the tragedy.
In 2009, Droupadi Murmu faced profound tragedy with the sudden demise of her 25-year-old son, Lakshman. His death broke her from the core. BK Supriya, in charge of the Brahma Kumaris Centre, a women-led spiritual organisation, recalls, “She was completely shattered. She wasn’t having any life within her to even talk.” After two months, Murmu visited the centre in Rairangpur, Odisha. This organisation is committed to world renewal through the spiritual empowerment of individuals. Murmu started her spiritual bent of life from here which helped her survive and stabilize her mental health.
Two months after the tragic incident, Murmu visited the centre. She became an avid follower of Brahmakumari Nirmala and started her journey of spirituality and meditation to prevail over her grief. BK Nirmala also tied a Rakhi to Droupadi on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan in 2018.
But tragedy followed Murmu once again when her younger son, Shipun, passed away in a road accident. According to a journalist, Murmu was uncontrollably crying and questioning God if anything was left for her. Later in an indescribable turn of events, her mother and brother died within a month. A year later, Mr. Shyam Charan Murmu, the President’s husband, passed away due to depression. She is survived now by her only daughter Itishree, and her husband.
On 13th Feb, ‘World Radio Day’ President Droupadi Murmu gave an interview with Union Minister Smriti Irani, which was broadcast by All India Radio. In the interview, Murmu was candid about her grief and how she maintained her sanctity during those tough times. She opened up about how she also cries on some days and lets out her pain. The President herself narrated this event, “The tsunami came into my life in 2009. It was a huge jolt to me. I couldn’t hear anything for a few days. I slipped into depression. Log kehte the ye to mar jaegi. But no, I wanted to live.” Murmu emphasised the power of yoga and meditation which helped her overcome the dark times in her life. The President explained how focusing more on her work and career helped her conquer her grief gradually.
The Path of Overcoming Depression Towards Leadership and Legacy
The journey through grief is deeply personal and can often be a lonely one. Murmu’s approach to overcoming depression involved drawing strength from her faith, her community, and her work. She immersed herself in service and found peace in her duty of helping others. This extreme focus helped her channel her energies into a positive act, gradually healing from her losses while making crucial contributions to society.
Droupadi Murmu’s journey to the presidency is a personal triumph and a ray of hope for those who face similar challenges. Her ability to overcome personal tragedies and achieve the highest office in the country is a powerful narrative of triumph over grief and depression. It highlights the importance of resilience, the support of community, and the healing power of one’s purposeful work. Her journey is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is hope and the possibility to emerge victorious. Her life encourages people to seek support when needed, engage in meaningful activities, and hold on to the anchors of hope and personal beliefs.
Murmu’s legacy is a testament that everyone experiences grief. But with resilience and faith, we can overcome the same. Her life encourages everyone to look beyond personal pain, engage with themselves, and find purpose in serving others.
Take a bow to Mrs. Droupadi Murmu, the Honourable President of India!
