President Murmu’s Compassionate Legacy: A Voice for Animals, Tribes, and the One Health Concept
By Dr. Simant Kumar Nanda
Joint Director (Retd.), Animal Welfare, Govt. of Odisha
When I first heard Her Excellency the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, address the convocation at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), it felt like a gentle wave of inspiration. Her words were not just formal lines from a high constitutional authority—they were a motherly call to serve animals, nature, and vulnerable communities with humility and care.
I remembered meeting her years ago when she was the Minister of Animal Resources Development in Odisha, during her visit to the Animal Disease Research Institute, Phulnakhra. Even then, she radiated warmth, wisdom, and empathy. She listened more than she spoke. She was not merely a policymaker; she was a compassionate daughter of the soil, deeply connected to animals, farmers, and tribal life. Her philosophy was beautifully captured in her invocation of “Ishavasyam Idam Sarvam”—God resides in all living beings.
President Murmu’s journey from a humble tribal background to the highest office in India is a story of courage, inclusion, and empathy. Her IVRI address was more than ceremonial; it carried a vision for sustainable livestock development, tribal welfare, and the One Health approach that connects human, animal, and environmental well-being. She reminded us that forests, wildlife, and rural livelihoods are inseparable threads of the same fabric.
She spoke of livestock as “Jeevan Dhan”—life’s wealth. For millions of farmers, a cow, goat, or poultry bird is not just an asset, but an emotional companion and a lifeline. I recalled countless cases I handled in animal welfare: behind every injured cow was a child’s education, behind every working bullock was a family’s survival, and behind every flock of poultry was a widow’s sustenance. Her words gave a voice to these silent realities.
What touched me most was her insistence on blending indigenous tribal knowledge with scientific innovation. She urged researchers to respect local wisdom, traditional animal healthcare, and eco-friendly practices while advancing veterinary science. Her vision is not of blind modernization, but of compassionate, inclusive, and sustainable progress.
President Murmu’s commitment aligns with the One Health concept, which sees human, animal, and environmental health as deeply interconnected. In an era of rising zoonotic diseases, climate change, and antibiotic resistance, her voice is a reminder that scientific solutions must walk hand in hand with empathy and ethics.
As someone who has spent decades in livestock development and animal welfare, I felt her words echoing my own journey. From framing animal protection rules to rehabilitating injured creatures and supporting tribal farmers, our work was often unnoticed but never meaningless. Her recognition felt like a soft blessing from the highest seat of the Republic,a validation of the quiet service that many in this field dedicate their lives to.
President Murmu’s life and leadership inspire a simple yet profound message: to care for all living beings, respect tribal wisdom, and innovate with compassion. Her voice is not just a constitutional one; it is a soulful reminder that kindness and responsibility are the true pillars of nation-building.
