The choice of President elect Droupadi Murmu was a calculated and positive move by National Democratic Alliance as we are having the fist tribal community president for the first time since Independence and that too a woman. From the moment name of Murmu was revealed it was clear that no other candidate could match her. She has a vast experience in politics, is spiritually inclined, and is a wonderful humanitarian. If Mahatma Gandhi was alive, he would have been delighted at Murmu's elevation. It was an eye opener to understand the extent of the powers of President. The President of India is always presented as a rubber stamp .The presentation often obfuscates and devalues the most prestigious position of the state. The President is not a rubber stamp but a custodian of constitutional values. That position is most crucial in today's times when we are witnessing the erosion of constitutional values.
The President, who neither reigns nor governs, always has to protect, preserve and safeguard the Constitution. Through the years India has seen different Presidents who explored different niches of their powers, ranging from a aggregator of public grievances to mere rubber stamps. It is a correct assessment that when political stalwarts occupy the chair of the President, they are capable of making impartial decisions irrespective of their party affiliations.
