In a rare moment, President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi found themselves walking the same unpaved path on Saturday (June 20, 2026), far removed from the corridors of power in New Delhi, in a remote tribal village of Odisha.
Assuming the roles of host and guide, President Murmu personally briefed the Prime Minister about Pahadpur, her in-laws’ village, its tribal way of life and the significance of Jahera, the sacred Santhal worship site.
Visit to Pahadpur
Arriving hours before the Prime Minister, who later flew in aboard an Indian Air Force helicopter, the President herself took stock of preparations for the visit.
The two leaders entered the village amid a vibrant traditional reception. Men and women dressed in customary attire danced in unison, their arms interlocked and steps moving in rhythmic harmony.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets people from the Santhal community during his visit to Pahadpur, in Mayurbhanj on Saturday.
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ANI
Amidst the beating of drums, villagers carrying photographs of the President and the Prime Minister extended a traditional welcome. Mr. Modi also conveyed his wishes to President Murmu on her 68th birthday. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi also greeted her on the occasion.
President Droupadi Murmu is being greeted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on her birthday in Odisha on Saturday. (@narendramodi/Instagram
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In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Warm birthday greetings to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu Ji. Her journey, marked by courage, simplicity, humility and unwavering commitment to public service, continues to inspire people across the country.”
“Through her many years in public life, she has served the nation in an outstanding manner, especially passionate about the well-being of the underprivileged and marginalised. Her steadfast dedication to India’s development is very motivating,” he remarked.
Solar village, skill centre
Mr. Modi announced to transform Pahadpur into a “solar village”, with solar panels installed in every household.
He also interacted with students undergoing training at a skill development centre established in the village after Ms. Murmu became the country’s first tribal woman President in 2022. The Prime Minister also spoke to students of a school founded by Ms. Murmu in memory of her late husband and two sons.
“I express my gratitude to President Murmuji that I have got the opportunity to see the land where she worked,” he said.
Development projects
Later, attending a public meeting in Dandbose, Rairangpur, marking two years of the BJP government in Odisha, both the President and the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth more than ₹47,000 crore. The projects included a ₹25,016-crore coal gasification unit, power projects worth ₹6,000 crore and ₹700-crore railway infrastructure works.
“The vision of the Centre is India’s development through the development of eastern India. Earlier, during the Congress regime, the region remained underdeveloped. Now, eastern India is a gateway to development,” he said.
“Odisha has received ₹20 lakh crore of investment proposals. Projects worth ₹3.5 lakh crore have already been started. The speciality of double-engine governments is that they try to reach people on the ground,” he said.
Mr. Modi said it is a matter of great satisfaction that tribals are overcoming decades-long backwardness and becoming part of the mainstream.
Chief Minister Majhi also spoke on the occasion, listing achievements of his two-year-old government.
President’s remarks
President Murmu praised the Prime Minister for fulfilling his commitments to visit Pahadpur, despite his recent tour of five countries. “It is a matter of great pride that the PM visited a small and remote village like Pahadpur,” she said. The President also congratulated Mr. Modi on becoming India’s longest-serving Prime Minister.
Published – June 20, 2026 05:33 pm IST
