Sister-in-law carries Santhali saree for Droupadi Murmu’s swearing-in

Droupadi Murmu’s oath taking ceremony on July 25

President-elect Droupadi Murmu may wear a traditional Santhali saree when she takes the oath of office in Delhi on Monday.

Her sister-in-law Sukri Tudu is travelling to Delhi with a special saree used by Santhal women in Eastern India.

Ms. Sukri along with her husband Tarinisen Tudu on Saturday left for the national capital to witness the oath taking ceremony to be held at the Parliament's central hall.

“I am carrying a Santali traditional saree for Didi (elder sister) and pray she will wear it during the oath taking. I am not sure what she will actually wear on the occasion. The Rashtrapati Bhawan will decide the dress of the new president,” Ms. Sukri said.

The Santhali sarees have some stripe work on one end and is worn by the Santhal women on special occasions. The saree is vertically symmetric and has both the ends designed with the same motifs.

Ms. Sukri, who along with her husband and family members, lives in Uparbeda village near Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district, said she is also carrying traditional sweet pancakes, also called ‘Arisa Pitha’ for Ms. Murmu.

Meanwhile, Ms. Murmu's daughter Itishree, a bank officer and her husband Ganesh Hembram, have reached New Delhi and are staying with the President elect.