The name was given by the school teacher: President Droupadi Murmu

India's first tribal president, Droupadi, was named after a character from the epic "Mahabharata" by her teacher at school.

In an interview with a video magazine, Odia had revealed some time ago that her Santhal name 'Puti' was changed to Droupadi by a teacher at school.

"Droupadi was not my original name. It was given to me by my teacher who was from another district, not my native Mayurbhanje," President Murmu told the magazine.

Teachers in the tribal district of Mayurbanjh traveled from either Balasore or Cuttack in the 1960s, she claimed.

"The teacher didn't like my previous name and changed it forever," she said when the magazine asked why she was called Droupadi, a name similar to a 'Mahabharata' character.

She also mentioned that her name was changed several times - from "Durpadi" to "Dorpdi".

She stated that names do not die in Santhal culture.

"If a girl is born, she takes her grandmother's name, while a son carries his grandfather's nomenclature," she said.

Droupadi Murmu, who used the surname Tudu in school and college, started using the title Murmu after she married Shyam Charan Tudu, a bank official.

Draupadi Murmu was sworn in as the 15th President of India on Monday.

Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana was sworn in at a ceremony held in the Central Hall of Parliament.

Much before she was elected to the highest constitutional post in the country, Murmu made her views on reservation for women in politics clear.

“There must be a reserve for women in male-dominated politics. Political parties can change this situation by selecting candidates and distributing tickets for competitive elections,” she told the magazine.

However, Droupadi Murmu said women should focus on "quality politics" and raise their voice for empowerment in Parliament or state assemblies.

“Women need to enhance their qualitative acumen by raising people's issues in the right forums,” she said.

In another interview with Brahmakumari Godlywood Studio on 18 February 2020, Murmu narrated her ordeal after the death of her 25-year-old eldest son Laxman.

“I was completely shattered and broken after the death of my son. I was depressed for about two months. I stopped meeting people and stayed confined at home. Later I joined Ishwariya Prajapati Brahmakumari, underwent yoga and meditation,” she said.

The 15th President of India lost her younger son Sipun in a road accident in 2013, followed by the death of her brother and mother.

"I have experienced tsunami in my life and I have seen three deaths of my family members within six months," President Murmu said, adding that her husband Shyam Charan also fell ill and died in 2014.

“There were times when I thought I might die at any time…” she said President Murmu also said that sadness and happiness have their own space in life.