Draupadi Murmu: A Life sketch

Audacity of Hope and triumph of Human Spirit

Poor and resource less father could not gather courage to go to the nearby town to meet a VIP from state capital and seek some help for his audacious daughter who was adamant to continue her pre- matric studies even as her two brothers lost all motivation to continue schooling. Father Biranchi Narayan Tudu was in dilemma, he did not have clean and appropriate pair of cloths to wear and stand before a visiting Minister to urge him recommend  her  daughter for admission in a girl hostel meant for tribal girls. Daughter Draupadi refused to give up. She got full support of grandmother who to some extent received informal education in her village. Finally Biranchi permitted Draupadi to try her luck on her own. Little Draupadi, with a bunch of papers, certificates and an application, went to meet the VIP and urged him to help her in getting admission in the hostel at the state capital Bhubneswar. State government ran the hostel and college bearing the expenses of the tribal girls staying and studying there. Entourage informed the minister that a little girl from nearby village wants to meet him. The minister saw the little girl, a dazzling zeal for learning on her face. He recommended her and that was the turning point in the life of Draupadi Tudu, life which had in store many turning points sometimes reducing the life to a pointless pass; And, suddenly phoenix rising from the ashes.

Tudus are traditionally musician folks in the tribal community but in Draupadi's life the melancholic note was ear deafening. Audacity of hope transformed the sad music into a celestial symphony of joy and jijivisha and India and world at large, hopefully, would soon hear the life inspiring ragas from the Raisina Hills.

Biranchi Nrarayan Tudu,a Santhal tribal was named after lord Brahma (Biranchi),the creator  of universe and Vishnu (Narayan) the preserver .But he, all  his life, struggled to  preserve his creations . He named his daughter Draupadi after the ’fiercely independent’ and ‘ruthless pursuer of goal’ character of Mahabharata- Draupadi,, sister of lord Krishna. Sister was one the causes of Great War of Mahabharata and sibling was facilitator of a righteous war that consumed much of the material existence and possession. What mankind still remembers and cherishes is the battle sermon of the brother, Bhagavad Gita. Indian parents don’t prefer to name a girl baby as Draupadi, the lady with five husbands. But that is not the case in Odisha state, where Krishna mythology dominates all spheres of life. Even tribal people are closely connected to this mythology and their unique folk gods and goddesses, culture and festivals are favorably encompassed into Jagannatha universe.

 Draupadi Tudu was enrolled in class eighth in Bhubaneswar in early 70s and for the next seven-eight years single mindedly pursued her studies. After getting a graduate degree she returned back to her village to support siblings and devote herself to uplift her tribal community. She began teaching the tribal children. She found a clerical job in irrigation and power department and as an educated woman found her life partner in Shyam Charan Murmu, a bank officer. The couple shifted to the nearby town Rairangpur, a notified area in Mayurbhanj district. And this town and surrounding villages became karmbhoomi of Draupadi Murmu. (Contd.)