President Droupadi Murmu’s Santali prayer goes viral, celebrates tribal heritage

NEW DELHI: A Santali prayer performed by President Droupadi Murmu, praising India’s tribal heritage, has gone viral. The prayer was offered before her speech at the 22nd Santali Parsi Mahasammelan and the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script, held in Jamshedpur.

The Santali prayer was performed to please Jaher Mata, the tribal mother goddess, in keeping with Santal traditions. President Murmu’s mother tongue is Santali.

According to Santal beliefs, Jaher Mata is the creator and protector of the world, and the prayer seeks her blessings. The prayer reflects respect for cultural roots and indigenous traditions. In her speech after the prayer, the President said that the Ol Chiki language is a strong symbol of Santali identity.