President Droupadi Murmu on Monday spoke about her humble beginnings in her first address as the country's constitutional head as she called for speeding up efforts to meet the expectations that the freedom fighters had for the citizens of Independent India.
Murmu was sworn-in India's 15th President and first tribal leader in office by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana at the historic Central Hall of Parliament.
Here are some of the top quotes from Murmu's first address as President:
- I am fortunate to have got this opportunity to serve during the 75th year of Independence. I am the first to have been born in independent India
- We will have to speed up our efforts to meet the expectations that our freedom fighters had with the citizens of independent India
- I come from a small village and in that village even getting primary education is tough. I am the first to get education at this level
{{/usCountry}}- I come from a small village and in that village even getting primary education is tough. I am the first to get education at this level
{{/usCountry}}- My elevation as President is not just my achievement but that of everyone in the country, that they can dream of reaching this level
- Every poor person, every marginalised person has blessed me in this step and I feel honoured. I want to assure women and the youth that their interests are most important to me
- Standing in Parliament - the symbol of expectations, aspirations and rights of all Indians - I humbly express my gratitude to all of you. Your trust and support will be a major strength for me to carry out this new responsibility
- In my life so far, I have experienced the meaning of life in public service. There is a line from the poem of Bhim Bhoi ji, an eminent poet of Jagannath region. It says, “Mo jeevan pache narke padi thau, jagat deliverance heu”. That is, one has to work for the welfare of the world greater than the benefit of one's life.