In a heartwarming display of humility, President Droupadi Murmu brought her convoy to a sudden halt amid the bustling streets of Jamshedpur’s Baridih area on Thursday. Fresh from attending two key events in the city, she stepped out of her vehicle and mingled directly with the crowd, leaving onlookers stunned and delighted.
The President’s motorcade was en route to the airport when it reached the vicinity of Manipal Tata Medical College. Hundreds had gathered along the roadside, many clutching Indian tricolors, eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the nation’s first citizen. Women, elderly folks, and children had braved the wait for hours under the February sun.
Spotting the enthusiastic crowd, President Murmu instructed her driver to stop. Flanked by security personnel, she alighted gracefully, folded her hands in traditional greeting, and walked over 150 meters towards the people. Her warm smile lit up faces as she engaged in brief conversations, accepting their salutations with genuine affection.
What truly melted hearts was her gesture towards the children. Reaching into her possession, she distributed chocolates, sparking joy and cheers among the young ones. Parents quickly pulled out their phones to capture the unforgettable moment, while the children jumped with excitement.
Tight security was in place, yet it seamlessly allowed this spontaneous public interaction. One local student described the close encounter as ‘a dream come true.’ A woman who had stood for two hours shared, ‘Her simplicity erased all fatigue.’
This isn’t the first such instance. President Murmu, hailing from Jharkhand’s tribal heartland, consistently breaks protocol to connect intimately with her people during visits to the state. Last December, after the NIT Jamshedpur convocation in Saraikela, she similarly halted her convoy at Akashvani Chowk to greet waiting crowds.
Such moments underscore her approachable demeanor, reinforcing the bond between the Rashtrapati Bhavan and ordinary Indians. As she resumed her journey, the crowd erupted in patriotic slogans, bidding farewell to a leader who values people over pageantry.