8 AUGUST2022Droupadi Murmu, a presidential candidate for the NDA, defeated Yashwant Sinha on Thursday, writing history by becoming the nation's first tribal leader. Former Jharkhand Governor Murmu defeated rival and opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha, winning 64.03 percent of the votes cast. The Supreme Commander of India's Armed Forces, Murmu, 64, is the second woman and the first Adivasi to hold this position. Murmu served as a Minister in Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's BJD-BJP coalition government from 2000 to 2004 and was elected to two terms in the Odisha Assembly in 2000 and 2004. 2015 saw her take the oath of office as Jharkhand's first female governor. Sinha congratulated Murmu on her victory on Twitter not long after her score passed the halfway point. I congratulate Smt. Droupadi Murmu for winning the presidential election of 2022 along with my fellow compatriots. India hopes that as the Republic's 15th President, she will uphold the Constitution without fear or favour, he wrote. Cross-voting contributed to Murmu's impressive victory, and it was evident after the ballots had been counted that there had been dissension and uncertainty within the Opposition ranks.Mayurbhanj district in Odisha explodes in celebration as Droupadi Murmu Writes HistoryThe NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu won the presidential election, the results of which were announced on Thursday, and Mayurbhanj exploded in celebration. To celebrate Murmu's triumph, thousands of people, including tribals from diverse clans, gathered in front of her home at Mahuldiha in Rairangpur town. Men and women dancing to the rhythms of the drums and the tribal music were dressed in colourful traditional costume. Following the announcement of Murmu's triumph, everyone embraced and congratulated one another, while a group of tribal women played Holi to show their joy. While sweets were being distributed, loudspeakers were blasting music and songs. According to reliable sources, more than 20,000 laddoos were distributed to the public by at least 20 confectioners.To commemorate the occasion, Chudamani Tudu, Murmu's sister-in-law, and her nephews Biranchi and Dulari organised a puja. "I am overjoyed at my sister in-law's victory in the race to the highest constitutional post of the country. She has always been like a mother to me. Her dedication to work for people and the society has brought her this far", said Chudamani. She continued by saying that since the results of the presidential election were announced, her family has received a deluge of congratulations calls and text messages from friends and family. A feast for more than 10,000 people was also planned on that day in Upparbeda, Murmu's home hamlet in the Kusumi block. A tribal priest carried out ceremonies to bless Murmu. To commemorate the anniversary, students from Upparbeda's upper primary and high schools also organised cultural activities.As the only woman from this area and the first tribal person to hold the top constitutional position in the nation, Murmu is a source of immense pride for Mayurbhanj and the entire State, according to BJP MLA Naba Charan Majhi of Rairangpur. "I have never seen celebrations on such a grand scale. Everyone here is happy with Murmu's achievement", he added. Local resident Sambari Tudu stated that Murmu's triumph is unique for indigenous women. "Murmu is a shining example of women empowerment. I am sure she will continue to work for the betterment of tribals in the country", she added. A rally was held from the BJD party office to Biju Patnaik Golei as sweets were distributed and firecrackers were let off. In the district, supporters of the BJP and BJD could be seen toasting Murmu's victory.Artists Applaud Droupadi Murmu After WinningFamous Odisha artists Sudarsan Pattnaik and PK Mahanandia used their artistic works to congratulate Droupadi Murmu on becoming the 15th President of India. On the Puri beach, Pattnaik painted a sand painting of Murmu with Raisina Hills as the background, and Mahanandia sketched a likeness of the President. Mahanandia, who resides in Sweden, is from Murmu's hometown of Mayurbhanj. IN FOCUSStaff ByTRIBAL WOMAN BECOMES THE NATION'S FIRST CITIZEN, A MOMENT OF NATIONAL PRIDE
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