Itishree, who was posted in the Bhubaneswar branch of the UCO Bank and was on leave during Murmu’s nomination, has currently taken a transfer to New Delhi to be by her mother’s side. She has two daughters—one is around two years old while the other is seven to eight months old.
On her mother’s election, Itishree feels that it should have been a unanimous selection instead of an election. ‘My mother is someone who is fair and balanced as a constitutional head and that was proved during her term as the governor. So I wish all parties could have supported her in becoming the fifteenth president of the country,’ said Itishree in an interview. She wants more and more people to know of her mother’s life, trials and tribulations, her commitment to work and dutifulness that have made her what she is today. She added:
Given the humble background that my mother comes from, she has dedicated her life to serving the poor and the marginalized. She has never boasted of her achievements or struggles; she prefers a low profile but was always among people. Her party workers and supporters would vouch for how she dedicated herself to serving the poor and being with the people. Her hard work and integrity are the two major factors that catapulted her to the highest position of the country.
Giving her mother’s example of patience and perseverance, Itishree remembered the dark times the family had to face. But she said that she found her mother completely in control of circumstances and never getting upset, annoyed or angry. Itishree believes that with her strong willpower and determination, she has overcome many challenges, both personal and professional.
Her simple way of life has been appreciated by all who have come in touch with her, and her family is no exception. Itishree remembered how Murmu, during her MLA stint, travelled overnight by bus to Rairangpur and returned to Bhubaneswar so that she could be with her constituents and be present at the Assembly as and when required. She was never fussy about food or clothing. ‘And she always wanted us to follow in her footsteps to remain grounded and never hanker after high standard of living,’ said Itishree. She explained:
My mother is like an open book. She mingles with one and all. She does not nurse any grudges or ill will towards anyone, even though she knows that some people have tried to harm her. She has been rewarded by the party because she has worked hard. She has been the most polite person, which has won her students’ love, parents’ respect and the party’s trust. It was her popularity as a teacher that made her win elections at a later stage.
For Itishree, there could not be a better inspiration than the president of the country. ‘She is an inspiration for many others as well. Her life is a lesson to all who feel that no one can rise in life without amenities. She has become the hope of all deprived people; they, too, can succeed if they try hard. She has done it despite all odds,’ she said, with a sense of pride and fulfilment.
During the period when the family lost its members one after another, Itishree was with her mother and found her gathering the pieces of her life with much difficulty. She referred to her mother as powerful from within, with strong conviction and enough willpower to take the world head on. ‘We stood with each other and remained strong,’ she said.
She narrated how her mother remembers her father and brothers, particularly on special occasions when she wants to share her achievements. ‘For someone who entered politics at a time when it was considered a male bastion, particularly since she had no godfather, she could achieve all this because of her diligence and commitment to do good and her relationship with people and my father stood by her,’ Itishree stated.
As she was seeing off her mother at the Bhubaneswar airport when she went to file nominations on 22 June 2022, Itishree commented, ‘Who knew Rairangpur? People would search the Internet to find where this place on earth existed. Now, even a place as remote as Uparbeda is etched in history due to her. I cannot be thankful enough to the people who have trusted her and God for bestowing her with the power to work for the people.’
Discussing whether this constitutional position will change her own life in any way in the interview, she said, ‘Of course, I wanted to shift to New Delhi to be with my mother. She would need me to be with her to give moral support. At least she will be happy that her only child is with her.’
According to Itishree, until Murmu’s security was tightened, restrictions were imposed and the protocol was laid, Murmu met each and every one who reached to congratulate her.
Ishwar Mishra describes how she prefers to speak from the heart instead of being bound by the protocol of speaking from a script. ‘She is well-read and has gained extensive knowledge on the present-day situation of the country. When she speaks impromptu, it is from the heart and it touches people,’ narrated Mishra.
Murmu is fluent in Odia, Hindi and Santali, and her speeches in Santali are strongly worded and impactful, Mishra acknowledges. This makes her an excellent advocate for the tribal community and an ideal president of the nation.
This excerpt from Droupadi Murmu: From Tribal Hinterlands to Raisina Hill by Kasturi Ray has been published with permission from Rupa Publications.