'Proof Poor Can Dream': Droupadi Murmu Sworn In as President in Grand Ceremony

Scripting history, Droupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th president of India – the first Scheduled Tribes person to hold the highest Constitutional post – on Monday, 25 July.

After taking the oath, Murmu addressed the nation from the Central Hall of Parliament, and said, "Johar! Namaskar! I humbly greet all the fellow citizens from this sacred Parliament, a symbol of the hopes, aspirations and rights of all the citizens of India. Your affection, trust and support will be my greatest strength in discharging my functions and responsibilities."

She also emphasised that she would work for the interests of women, youth, and the tribal community in India while holding the top post.

'Achievement of Every Poor in India': Murmu Focuses on Women, Tribals in Address

• I started my life journey from a small tribal village in Odisha. From the background I come from, it was like a dream for me to get elementary education. But despite many obstacles, my resolve remained strong and I became the first daughter of my village to go to college.

• It is the power of our democracy that a daughter born in a poor house, a daughter born in a remote tribal area, can reach the highest constitutional post of India.

• Reaching the post of president is not my personal achievement, it is the achievement of every poor in India. My election is proof that the poor in India can dream and fulfil those dreams.

• Today, I assure all the countrymen, especially the youth of India and the women of India, that while working in this position, their interests will be paramount for me.

• I want all our sisters and daughters to be empowered more and more and they continue to increase their contribution in every field of the country.

• I have been born in that tribal tradition which has carried on life in harmony with nature for thousands of years. I have realised the importance of forests and waterbodies in my life. We take necessary resources from nature and serve nature with equal reverence.

The Oath-Taking Ceremony

Murmu was administered the oath by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana at a grand ceremony in the Central Hall of Parliament. It was followed by a 21-gun salute.

The ceremony saw the attendance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu, members of the Council of Ministers, state governors, chief ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, Members of Parliament, and principal civil and military officers of the government.

Earlier in the morning, Murmu met President Ram Nath Kovind, whose term ended on Sunday, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Before that, she had visited Rajghat, where she paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

"The entire nation watched with pride as Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji took oath as the President of India. Her assuming the Presidency is a watershed moment for India especially for the poor, marginalised and downtrodden. I wish her the very best for a fruitful Presidential tenure," PM Modi tweeted after the event.

Tri-Services Guard of Honour as Murmu Takes Charge, Kovind Departs From Rashtrapati Bhavan

After the completion of the swearing-in ceremony, President Droupadi Murmu and her predecessor Ram Nath Kovind arrived at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they were received with a ceremonial salute at the forecourt.

Murmu assumed the office of the president at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and posed with Kovind for a photo during the handover.

The two leaders were accorded the Guard of Honour by the military services.

President Murmu received the first Tri-Services Guard of Honour, with PM Modi and Vice President Naidu in attendance.

Outgoing President Kovind then inspected the Guard for the last time and formally departed from the Rashtrapati Bhavan to his residence on Janpath Road.

Santhal Tribe Celebrates After Murmu Takes Oath

Several Santhal tribal men and women played traditional music and danced in Odisha's Bhubaneswar to celebrate as Droupadi Murmu took over as India's new president.

Hailing from the Santhal tribe herself, the most populous Scheduled Tribes community in the country, Murmu highlighted her life journey which started in a small tribal village in Odisha and how she became the first person from there to get a college education.

With the tribals, a large number of whom have traditionally lived in forests, known for living a life in harmony with nature, Murmu said the role of India's ancient traditions and sustainable lifestyle becomes more important when the world is talking about a sustainable planet.

Murmu, the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) candidate, won the presidential election on Thursday, 21 July.

While she secured 2,824 first preference votes, valued at 6,76,803, Opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha garnered 1,877 first preference votes, valued at 3,80,177.

Vehicular movement was restricted in Lutyens Delhi on Monday in view of the swearing-in ceremony. The construction work of the new Parliament building was also halted for the oath-taking.