The students of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) on Monday organised a victory celebration to commemorate Draupadi Murmu’s elevation as the President of India.
The day was observed in a big way by 30,000 students of KISS, as Murmu, the tribal leader from the Mayurbhanj district, took the oath of office. She becomes the first woman from the community to hold the highest constitutional position in the country. Her anointment becomes all the more significant as it coincides with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, marking 75 years of India’s independence.
Murmu’s association with KISS goes beyond her visits to the campus. Her son-in-law Ganesh Chandra Murmu was a student of the institute. During his association with KISS for over 15 years, he also played for the KISS Rugby Team that won the 2007 Junior Rugby World Cup in England. He emerged as a promising player and also played for the team in South Africa, England and South Korea.
The President’s son also studied at KIIT from 2003 to 2006. A few years ago, he met with his untimely death. To mark Murmu’s swearing-in ceremony, more than 30,000 ladoos were prepared and distributed on the campus. Students from the President’s village also participated in preparing the ladoos.
The students said they are brimming with confidence that they will also occupy high positions in their professional lives.