Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu on Friday not only enjoyed the dance performed by women of her Santhal community but also joined them in the performance by breaking the protocol in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.
The president, who is on a five-day visit to the state, visited her birthplace, Uparbeda in the district, for the first time since assuming the highest office. Murmu proceeded to Mayurbhanj via Kalaikunda Airport in West Bengal and then travelled to tribal village of Uparbeda on road.
On reaching the village, she first went to the Government Upper Primary School, her alma mater. She was welcomed by the teachers and students of the school. After spending some time with them, she went to the village deity’s shrine to offer prayer.
She seemed to enjoy her visit as she walked through the village which was decorated with Rangoli on the roads and fresh paint on the walls of the villagers’ houses.
As she approached her ancestral house, women of her community dressed in traditional attire welcomed her. As per the practice, the women started dancing to the tune of Santali songs.
At this time, the President could not resist herself and joined them to dance the folk dance by breaking the protocol while the villagers cheered her.
Murmu was born in Uparbeda village on June 20, 1958.
