CM Vishnu Deo Sai Pays Tribute to President Murmu
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
From a small village in Odisha to the highest constitutional office in the land — Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai marked that extraordinary arc on Thursday, 22 October 2026, with a heartfelt tribute to President Droupadi Murmu, calling her journey a living example of struggle, dedication, and resolve.
In his post on X, CM Sai wrote: 'ओडिशा के एक छोटे से गाँव से देश के सर्वोच्च संवैधानिक पद तक' — 'from a small village in Odisha to the country's highest constitutional post' — framing President Murmu's life as a source of inspiration for 'crores of mothers, sisters, and daughters of the nation.'
From Mayurbhanj to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Droupadi Murmu, who hails from the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, was elected as the 15th President of India in July 2022 as the NDA's candidate, succeeding Ram Nath Kovind. Her election made history on two counts: she became the first person from a tribal community, and only the second woman, to occupy Rashtrapati Bhavan. The milestone reverberated across Scheduled Tribe communities that had long remained outside the spotlight of India's highest offices.
Tribal Representation as a Political and Social Narrative
CM Sai's tribute fits a wider pattern. Since 2014, BJP leaders have consistently highlighted the ascent of individuals from rural and tribal backgrounds to national institutions — a messaging strategy that resonates deeply in states with large Scheduled Tribe populations. Chhattisgarh, where Sai has served as Chief Minister since December 2023, has one of the highest proportions of tribal communities in India, making such acknowledgements politically and socially significant on home turf as well.
The tribute underscores a broader democratic argument: that constitutional offices can be, and are, accessible to citizens from the most marginalised geographies and communities. For tribal women in particular, President Murmu's trajectory — from a village in Odisha to the apex of India's Republic — carries weight that few political symbols can match.