Mom's hard work, integrity have taken her to where she is today, says Droupadi Murmu's daughter

Itishree Murmu, the 35-year-old daughter of NDA presidential nominee Droupadi Murmu, works in a bank in Bhubaneswar. She spoke to Minati Singha about her mother's journey as a committed politician and how she has motivated hundreds of tribal women across Odisha and Jharkhand.
Your first thoughts when you heard your mother has been named as NDA's presidential nominee...
That evening (Tuesday) it was raining heavily in Rairangpur and we had a power cut. We got calls from friends and relatives about her selection as the presidential candidate. But after electricity returned, we became doubly sure after watching the news on TV. Then the congratulatory phone calls started. Given that her name was discussed earlier once during the 2017 presidential election, we were not very sure that she would be chosen. But no doubt, I am feeling very proud.
How do you see your mother's journey?
My mother comes from a very humble background and she has dedicated her life to serve the poor and the tribals. She has always maintained a very low profile and preferred to stay close to the people. Whatever post she held, starting as a teacher to the governor of Jharkhand, she was always committed and dedicated to her work. It's her hard work and integrity for which she has been nominated for the highest post in the country.
What are the qualities of your mother that you like the most?
She has immense patience. I have never seen her restless or getting annoyed. At the time of great personal loss, when any other person would have been shattered, she showed exemplary composure. She does not panic easily and always believes that this too shall pass. With her strong willpower and determination, she has overcome many challenges, both personal and professional.
How is she as a mother?
As a mother she was a strict disciplinarian. She used to get angry with us when we used to watch TV for hours and always stressed the need for studies and the importance of a career. She always maintained a work-life balance. She encouraged me to go for higher studies and never discriminated between me and my brothers. Rather, she sent me to Pune for higher studies while my brothers studied in Bhubaneswar.
How does your mother spend her free time?
She leads a very simple life. When she was an MLA, she used to travel in night buses from Bhubaneswar to Rairangpur so that she could stay close to the people of her constituency and also attend assembly on time. In her food, clothes, and everything, you will only find simplicity. After she retired as governor of Jharkhand in 2001, she loved spending time with her grandchildren, my two daughters aged 18 months and three months. She is quite attached to my elder daughter and wanted to take her to Delhi.
Now, after her nomination, do you think her, and your life will undergo a lot of change?
I don't know. After her name was announced as the presidential nominee, we did not get time to process things, and what has been happening around us. Everything is happening so fast. We could not even get enough time to pack her bags. We are just going with the flow and hope whatever is happening is for the good.