Why I am not proud of an Adivasi President

As a young girl I used to observe my father who was a civil servant and grew in the services as an esteemed bureaucrat. My first impression of our national leaders, freedom fighters, Prime Minister and President was one of awe and reverence, which I learned from my father. Even the mention of the name of a national leader, PM or President would change his posture into one of respect. He was one who would stand up for the national anthem all the time; every time and I have spotted tears in his eyes as he would sing along with the source.

?I came to respect every person that we have chosen as our representatives to ?governance to fulfil our goals as a nation that would be a safe haven for all its citizens, offering them opportunities for education, means of livelihood , decent homes, civic amenities and infrastructure that all would have access to. In short, creating an inclusive nation where every citizen lives with dignity and respect and in harmony with every other citizen.

?I strongly believe, irrespective of their personal attributes such as personality, character, education and party affiliations, every person holding the post of our Prime Minister and President deserves respect and allegiance from the citizens, irrespective of our beliefs and differences. However, in a troll-ridden world this seems a little far-fetched idiosyncrasy.

?In that spirit I bow to our 15th President of India, Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu and offer my heartiest congratulations to her!

?Yet, ever since her name came up as the President elect, her coincidence ?of birth, ‘Adivasi’ was tagged along with her name, and the media as well as the nation hastened to proudly display to the world that India has got its first Adivasi and second woman President.

?After 75 years of independence, India is celebrating the fact that a lone tribal person has been able to reach the ‘top most’ position in the country! This was not what the members of our Constituent Assembly envisioned for our country, when they drafted the Indian Constitution. Even as they laid the foundation for a secular, socialist, democratic, republic they had also visualised a future India where , after a decade, the socially oppressed backward and marginalised groups would have been able attain the equality of status and access to resources that all other ?citizens enjoyed.

?Today, after 75 years, our celebration of a lone Adivasi person who has been able to attain the position of our President belies the hope and optimism our freedom fighters had for us. In a matter of one or two decades, we should have had the distinction of being a nation of one united group of citizens- Indians. This was not to be!

?Instead of attributing distinction to her accident of birth and gender, that project the continued status of lesser humans, I would like to be proud of the fact that a soft-spoken woman from a marginalized community has fought against all odds to rise to the position as a national head. Despite having to contend with gender differences in a rigidly patriarchal and misogynistic society, social handicaps that afflict marginalized and impoverished communities and inordinate sufferings arising out of huge personal tragedies, she garnered education for herself, became a committed teacher and a socially conscientious citizen before taking on the mantle as a political leader. In branding her an ‘Adivasi’ or as a woman, we are taking away the credit of all her personal accomplishments - ??her immense courage as a mother and a wife that gave her the strength to rise above debilitating personal tragedies, the career woman and the political leader who quietly went about fulfilling her commitments and responsibilities, and the socially conscious person who contributed to her society without much ado.

?Smt. Droupadi Murmu stands tall as a, soft-spoken leader who has risen from extremely constraining social and personal circumstances to reach the place where she is today. As a mother who has been grappling with ?rigorous health challenges of her child for several years, I truly appreciate and understand the enormity of her traumas when she lost two grown up sons and in quick succession had to deal with indescribable catastrophes ?that led to the ?loss of her son, mother, younger brother and husband.

?For me our 15th President of India is an impeccable citizen who stands testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. She is an embodiment of hope for young India that is working toward creating an inclusive nation where all citizens would be proud to live in peace and harmony. Where a person would no longer be called as ‘Adivasi’ and no President of our nation will be known for their accident of birth, but for their personal qualities and accomplishments, their love for their community and the nation.

?I bow my head and offer my respect to Her Excellency Droupadi Murmu, the President of India!