President Murmu turns 67: PM Modi leads birthday greetings, hails her inspiring journey
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
President Droupadi Murmu turned 67 on 20 June 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the nation's birthday wishes, describing her life as a beacon of courage, humility, and unwavering dedication to public service. Modi also indicated he would meet the President later in the day at a programme in Odisha.
What PM Modi Said
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'Warm birthday greetings to the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her journey, marked by courage, simplicity, humility and unwavering commitment to public service, continues to inspire people across the country.'
Modi further added: 'Through her many years in public life, she has served the nation in an outstanding manner, especially passionate about the wellbeing of the underprivileged and marginalised. Her steadfast dedication to India's development is very motivating.' He concluded by expressing hope for her long and healthy life in service of the nation.
Yogi Adityanath Joins the Tributes
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended greetings via X, writing: 'Heartfelt birthday greetings to Her Excellency the President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Your simple life, unwavering dedication to the upliftment of tribal society, and steadfast commitment to constitutional values serve as an exemplary inspiration for all citizens of the country.' He added a prayer to Lord Sri Jagannath for her long and illustrious life and excellent health.
From Uparbeda Village to Rashtrapati Bhavan
Born on 20 June 1958 in Uparbeda village of Odisha's Mayurbhanj district to a Santhal tribal family, President Murmu's rise to the country's highest constitutional office is among the most remarkable stories in contemporary Indian public life. She was the first girl from her village to clear the matriculation examination and earn a college degree, graduating from Ramadevi Women's College, Bhubaneswar, in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics.
Before assuming the presidency, she served as the ninth Governor of Jharkhand from 2015 to 2021, building a reputation for quiet effectiveness and a focus on tribal welfare. On 25 July 2022, she was sworn in as the 15th President of India — the first tribal woman and the youngest individual to hold the office.
Significance of Her Presidency
President Murmu's ascent from a remote tribal village in Odisha to Rashtrapati Bhavan carries symbolic and constitutional weight. Her presidency has been closely associated with the welfare of marginalised communities, and her personal story — of overcoming social and economic barriers — resonates particularly strongly in tribal and rural India. Notably, her birthday falls as she prepares to attend a public programme in her home state of Odisha, underscoring the continued connection she maintains with her roots.