Amidst the jubilation of Draupadi Murmu becoming the country’s 15th President today, the Santal village of Pahadpur in Odisha does not forget the tearful days of pain. It has been a long year since the sudden death of three people took place and Draupadi Murmu was on the verge of severe depression. However, the elders of the village still cherish the memories of Draupadi’s husband Shyamcharan Murmu and their children. Shyamcharan, who was a bank manager, had changed the lives of not only Draupadi but many people in the village.
Draupadi’s Uparbeda and Shyamcharan’s Pahadpur are villages bisected by National Highway 220. While Draupadi was the first woman to study outside of Uparbeda, Shyamcharan was the highest educated in Pahadpur at that time. Draupadi, who initially gave an excuse, contests for the post of municipal councilor at the insistence of her husband. She contested in the second ward in Rairangpur where the house she built is located. The decision became a reason to change the history not only of Draupadi but also of tribals who constitute 8.6% of the country’s population. His relatives say that Shyamcharan’s absence to see her rise from a commoner in the village to the first lady of the kingdom must have made Draupadi very sad.
Shyamcharan was also the person who brought many people in the village to formal education. Many were taught by taking money from their own pockets. Draupadi lost her husband and two sons in four years. His brother and mother died during this period. Despondent due to one death after another, Draupadi regained her confidence by following spiritual paths. They have erected statues of their children and husbands in many parts of Bhartrigrama, but they have instructed their relatives not to have family portraits in their own homes and ancestral homes.
Her brother Tarani Sen Tudu said that it was Didi who told her not to put anyone’s photo on the wall as it would create painful memories. Rare family photos are kept wrapped in paper.
Draupadi has installed a statue of Shyamcharan on the road leading to Pahadpur village. A tube well was also constructed nearby. On special occasions, Draupadi and the villagers would offer flowers to the idols. The SLS Memorial Residential School, established in memory of her husband and children, also has statues of the three. The school was named SLS after the names of her husband and children Shyamcharan, Laxman and Sipun.
Draupadi and Shyamcharan tried to bring changes in the field of education, but even today their villages are backward. Although Draupadi had been in politics for a long time as a minister and governor, she was not ready to abuse her power for the sake of her relatives. Dularam Tudu, the paternal nephew who looks after the family home, is the only officer among the close relatives. He is a bank clerk. Majority of the family members are farmers or unemployed. Taranisen Tudu, the only surviving brother, is unemployed. He has reached Delhi to witness today’s swearing-in ceremony.
Celebrations have been organized in Rairangpur, Uparbeda and Pahadpur today, the oath-taking day. Pujas will be held at the Shiva temple and Parthasarathy temple where Draupadi used to visit. Basically sarna devotees (nature worshippers) relatives of Santhal tribe Draupadi and Shyamcharan. Forest and trees are their gods. Her relative Brajamohan Murmu said that nature pujas are also being performed for Draupadi’s long life. He is a farmer and runs the school founded by Draupadi.
English Summary: About Draupadi Murmu and her family