Droupadi Murmu makes history; first tribal to be elected India's President

Gets more than 64% of the votes cast; first tribal woman to occupy the highest office

The scent of mahua flowers and bamboo groves travelled from the jungles to the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan as Droupadi Murmu (64) made history by becoming India’s first tribal president.

Fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Murmu got more than 64 per cent of the votes cast, and at least 20 opposition votes, winning the election by a massive margin, defeating common opposition candidate Yashwant Sinha (84) and winning voters in the electoral college with her charm, simplicity and determined conviction to protect tribal identity. Tribal chiefs from all over the country are planning to troop