As it happened: Droupadi Murmu took the oath as president of India

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday wrote to India's new President Droupadi Murmu calling to "properly handle differences and push bilateral ties forward in the right track".

"China and India are important neighbours and a healthy, stable China-India relationship is in line with fundamental interests," the Chinese president said in the letter. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also written to India's new president.

After the swearing in ceremony, India's new president in a speech said said the poor, Dalits and tribals see her as their reflection.

Several important dignitaries including PM Narendra Modi, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and union ministers were present at the Central Hall of the Parliament.

"My nomination has blessings of the poor behind it, it's a reflection of the dreams and capabilities of crores of women," President Murmu said during the swearing in ceremony.

Droupadi Murmu takes oath as president as India gets it second female president. Murmu has become the 15th president of India.

Droupadi Murmu arrives at Rashtrapati Bhavan, she will take oath as president of India shortly.

President-elect Droupadi Murmu pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi ahead of the swearing-in creremony

Santhal, the tribe of Indian President Droupadi Murmu, has a great history

Murmu is from the Santhal community, which has an eventful history.

After several decades of effort, the Santhali community and its language are now attracting attention at the national and international level.

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Droupadi Murmu officially declared India's 15th President, first from tribal community

Murmu visited state capitals around the nation to campaign for the presidency and received a warm welcome everywhere he went.

On July 18, 771 MPs and 4025 MLAs voted in the presidential election, accounting for more than 99 percent of the electoral college. 

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Who is Droupadi Murmu, the tribal leader who is India’s 15th president?

For the first time in Indian history, a tribal leader is going to helm the top constitutional post. Droupadi Murmu, the ruling BJP candidate, was elected as the 15th President of India on Thursday by securing over 60 per cent of the total vote value.

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