Droupadi Murmu turns 67: Smriti Irani hails President's 'extraordinary' journey
Synopsis
President Droupadi Murmu turns 67 on 20 June, drawing tributes from former minister Smriti Irani and actor Jackie Shroff. Murmu's journey — from a Santhali tribal family in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district to becoming India's first tribal President — remains one of independent India's most remarkable political ascents.
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu turns 67 on 20 June 2025 , born in Uparbeda village, Mayurbhanj, Odisha .
Former minister Smriti Irani called her journey from a small village to the presidency 'extraordinary courage, resilience, and commitment to public service.' Actor Jackie Shroff also extended birthday wishes via social media.
Murmu is India's 15th President , its first tribal President , and only the second woman to hold the office.
She served as Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021 and as an Odisha MLA from 2000 to 2009 before assuming the presidency in July 2022 .
Former Union minister Smriti Irani on 20 June 2025 extended birthday greetings to President Droupadi Murmu, who turns 67, celebrating her rise from a remote tribal village in Odisha to the highest constitutional office in the country as a testament to courage and public service.
What Smriti Irani Said
Irani shared a photograph of herself presenting a bouquet of yellow roses to the President, accompanied by a personal note on her official account. In her message, she wrote: 'From a small village to the highest constitutional office of our Republic, your journey reflects extraordinary courage, resilience, and commitment to public service.' She added: 'You continue to inspire millions across the nation, reaffirming that determination and purpose can overcome every obstacle. Warm birthday wishes to Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. May you be blessed with good health, happiness and divine grace always.'
Bollywood Joins the Tributes
Actor Jackie Shroff also took to social media earlier in the day to wish the President. He wrote: 'Warmest birthday wishes to the Honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu! Wishing you a year ahead filled with good health and peace.'
President Murmu's Historic Journey
Droupadi Murmu was born on 20 June 1958 in Uparbeda village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, into a Santhali tribal family. She is the 15th President of India, the country's first tribal President, and only the second woman to hold the nation's top constitutional post.
Before assuming the presidency in July 2022, Murmu served as Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021, becoming the first tribal woman to hold that position in the state. She was also a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2009 and held ministerial portfolios including Commerce and Transport and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development.
A Legacy That Resonates
Murmu's trajectory — from a tribal household in one of Odisha's more remote districts to Rashtrapati Bhavan — is widely regarded as one of the most compelling stories in contemporary Indian politics. Her presidency has been seen as a symbolic acknowledgement of India's tribal communities, who make up roughly 8.6% of the national population. As she completes another year in office, tributes from across the political and cultural spectrum reflect the broad regard her personal story commands.
Point of View
But the story beneath them is not. Her election in 2022 was a deliberate signal — the ruling establishment choosing a Santhali woman from one of India's most underrepresented communities for its highest symbolic office. Whether that signal has translated into substantive policy gains for tribal communities remains a harder question, one that the warm social-media posts do not address. The presidency is a largely ceremonial role, yet the person who holds it shapes the republic's moral register. Murmu's life story does that work compellingly; her institutional record in the role is still being written.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is President Droupadi Murmu's birthday?
President Droupadi Murmu was born on 20 June 1958 in Uparbeda village in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. She turns 67 in 2025.
What did Smriti Irani say about President Murmu?
Smriti Irani described Murmu's journey as reflecting 'extraordinary courage, resilience, and commitment to public service,' adding that she continues to inspire millions across the nation. Irani also shared a photograph presenting yellow roses to the President.
Why is President Droupadi Murmu historically significant?
Murmu is India's 15th President, its first tribal President, and only the second woman to hold the office. She comes from a Santhali tribal family and previously served as the first tribal woman Governor of Jharkhand.
Who else wished President Murmu on her birthday?
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff also extended greetings, writing 'Warmest birthday wishes to the Honourable President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu! Wishing you a year ahead filled with good health and peace.'
What roles did Droupadi Murmu hold before becoming President?
Before assuming the presidency in July 2022, Murmu served as Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021 and as a member of the Odisha Legislative Assembly from 2000 to 2009, holding portfolios including Commerce and Transport and Fisheries and Animal Resources Development.
