The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on 27 November 2025 became the first sitting President ever to address the Odisha Assembly. The event marks a historic first for the state.
What Happened
Murmu, who once served as an MLA and minister in Odisha, returned to the Assembly where her political career began.
She addressed lawmakers between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm on the first day of the Assembly’s winter session.
During her visit, she also inaugurated a new guest-house facility called “Kalinga Atithi Nivas” at Raj Bhavan, Bhubaneswar.
Droupadi Murmu called her address “a homecoming,” expressing deep emotion as she returned to the House that helped shape her early political life. She thanked the Assembly and the people of Odisha for giving her opportunities to grow.
She urged MLAs to act responsibly, uphold integrity, and remain connected to the people. Her remarks underlined the values of respect, discipline and public service.
Murmu also highlighted Odisha’s potential citing its natural wealth, coastline, and agricultural strength and called for collective efforts to build a prosperous future for the state.
Why This Matters
This marks the first time any President of India has addressed the Odisha Assembly, which makes it a landmark event in the state’s political history.
For Murmu personally, the address is special, she began her political career here and served as an MLA from the Rairangpur constituency in 2000 and 2004.
The visit symbolises full circle from grassroots state-level politics to holding the highest constitutional office, and returning to offer perspective and guidance.