Why President Droupadi Murmu Taking Her Maiden Sortie Is Soaring Inspirational

President and Supreme Commander of the Indian armed forces Droupadi Murmu took a sortie in an Indian Air Force (IAF) Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam on Saturday. She is the third President and second woman President to undertake such a sortie.

“It was an exhilarating experience for me to fly in the mighty Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft of the IAF. It is a matter of pride that India’s defence capabilities have expanded immensely to cover all the frontiers of land, air and sea. I congratulate the IAF and the entire team of Air Force Station Tezpur for organising this sortie,” Murmu later wrote in the visitor’s book.

The President flew for approximately 30 minutes covering the Brahmaputra and Tezpur valley before returning to the Air Force Station.

Before Murmu, former President Pratibha Patil had flown in the frontline Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jet from the Pune air force base in 2009. Late APJ Abdul Kalam held the distinction of being the first President to fly in a fighter plane in 2006.

On Twitter, several pictures of the President, including one in flying gear, waving to those present before getting into the cockpit and while getting down from the aircraft, were shared extensively. Her journey from a remote village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district to President's office does not remain an isolated one. She is an inspiration to many women who gets lost in their pursuits, whose voices are hushed and wings clipped down even before they could fly.

President Droupadi Murmu maiden sortie

Droupadi Murmu is the country’s first tribal, second woman, and most recent president with a teaching background. Her dedication to education has been the one constant during her long, arduous journey to her political career.

She was an assistant professor at the Shri Aurobindo Integral Education and Research Institute, Rairangpur, and a junior assistant at the irrigation department, Government of Odisha. But few people are aware that the name of the first tribal president of India, which was inspired by a figure from the Mahabharata epic, was given to her by her schoolteacher.

Nearly eight months since she assumed office, the President has made special efforts to reach out to the tribal communities.

During her maiden visit to West Bengal last month, the President interacted with tribal groups at Raj Bhavan in Kolkata. Nearly 40 tribes have a presence in the state and the interaction also saw a performance by Santhali (a tribe Murmu belongs to) dancers and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was also present during the interaction, trying to match steps with them.

At times, during her visits, Murmu often imparts the importance of education and healthcare among tribal communities. After her meeting in West Bengal, Rashtrapati Bhavan’s official handle tweeted that the President urged them to "focus on the education of their children, particularly girls.”

The low-profile politician is believed to be deeply spiritual and a keen practitioner of meditation techniques, a movement she embraced after she lost her husband, two sons, mother and brother in just six years between 2009-2015.

In an interview in February 2016 with Doordarshan, Murmu gave a glimpse into the tumultuous period of her life when she lost her son in 2009.

"I was devastated and suffered from depression. I spent sleepless nights after my son's death. It was when I visited Brahma Kumaris, I realised I had to move on and live for my two sons and daughter," Murmu had said.

From being a teacher to becoming a two-time MLA from Rairangpur and now serving as the first tribal woman President of a state, Droupadi Murmu might be soft-spoke but she is a strong-willed inspirational person.

Suggested Reading: Statement President Murmu Made On Gender Disparity And Opportunities For Women