Dazzling Crown

By Deepak Kumar Rath (editor@udayindia.in) With Draupadi Murmu becoming the 15th President of India, the highest pedestal of the constitutional hierarchy has attained the complete samarasata, the long-cherished dream of Dr BR Ambedkar. Draupadi Murmu is an ideal figure in contemporary politics who adopted politics as a medium of social service and philanthropy and not to gain power and pelf. She followed the highest political correctness and values throughout his political life. No surprise that when she became the President, her political opponents too paid respect to her. The victory of Murmu has strengthened the inclusive dharma of democracy. Two successful NDA’s candidates in the past, who made to Rashtrapati Bhavan, emphasised inclusivity, and were the most suitable candidates to hold the top constitutional post--the Missile Man APJ Abdul Kalam whose life was a living testimony to the Indian tradition of pursuit of knowledge and humility, and the most humble and democratic Ram Nath Kovind opened the doors of Rashtrapati Bhavan for the people while being most courteous in his conduct and the discharge of duty. Against this backdrop, it is apt to mention that the way in which the newly-appointed President of India Draupadi Murmu delivered her speech, it had hints of future politics and it also conveyed that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make many more efforts for the welfare of the country's poor in the coming times--big and historic steps are going to be taken. It was just a coincidence that when the former President of the country Ram Nath Kovind was going out of Rashtrapati Bhavan and Draupadi Murmu was coming in, at that time a conference of Chief Ministers and Deputy Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states was also being held in New Delhi in which the welfare schemes for the poor were being reviewed and a big message was also sent out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Her ascendancy to the highest constitutional post has also a symbolic value, which cannot be negated in times of social media and intense civil engagement. Brining the marginalized, excluded and deprived people to the precinct of power is as much ethic as it is about setting the process of democratization on the run. In fact, Murmu’s elevation to the Office of the President of India is the firm democratic empowerment of both the tribal population and women of the country. Born in independent India, Draupadi Murmu became the President at the time of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, which is a proud moment for the whole country. The way in which the tribal and forest dwellers of the country have proudly cheered her swearing-in ceremony indicates the new strength of the Indian nation and the new expansion of Indian politics. This will not only be a new chapter in her life, but it will also be a new chapter in the lives of all those belonging to the underprivileged, to whom Draupadi Murmu has devoted her life.