Shyam Charan Murmu (April 1, 1958 – August 1, 2014) was an Indian banker best known as the husband of Droupadi Murmu, the 15th President of India. A man of humble origins from Odisha, Shyam Charan lived a life marked by professional dedication and personal tragedy. His connection to Droupadi Murmu, a trailblazing tribal leader and politician, brought him into the public eye, though he remained a private individual.
Profile
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shyam Charan Murmu |
| Date of Birth | April 1, 1958 |
| Place of Birth | Pahadpur Village, Badampahar, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, India |
| Date of Death | August 1, 2014 |
| Age at Death | 56 years |
| Cause of Death | Cardiac arrest |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Ethnicity | Santhal (Scheduled Tribe) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Education | Graduated from Rama Devi College, Bhubaneswar |
| Profession | Bank Officer (Bank of India, Office Bearer at Odisha Unit of BOIOA) |
| Spouse | Droupadi Murmu (married in 1980, 15th President of India) |
| Children | Two sons (Laxman Murmu, Sipun Murmu, both deceased), one daughter (Itishree Murmu) |
| Notable Connection | Husband of Droupadi Murmu, India’s first tribal and second woman President |
| Marriage Details | Love marriage with Droupadi Murmu; dowry included 1 bullock, 1 cow, and 16 pairs of clothes |
| Residence | Settled in Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj, Odisha after bank transfer |
| Personal Tragedies | Lost two sons (Laxman in 2009, Sipun in 2013) and a daughter in 1984 |
| Legacy | SLS (Shyam, Laxman & Sipun) Memorial Residential School in Pahadpur, founded by Droupadi Murmu in memory of Shyam and their sons |
Early Life and Education
Shyam Charan Murmu was born on April 1, 1958, in Pahadpur village, Badampahar, located in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India. He belonged to the Santhal tribe, one of India’s largest tribal communities, known for its rich cultural heritage. Growing up in a rural and underdeveloped region, Shyam Charan likely faced the challenges of limited resources and opportunities, common in tribal areas during that era.
Details about his early education are sparse, but he is believed to have completed his primary schooling in his hometown. He later pursued higher education in Bhubaneswar, enrolling at Rama Devi College, where he earned a degree. It was during his college years in Bhubaneswar that he met Droupadi Murmu, who would later become his wife and India’s President. Their shared tribal background and values laid the foundation for a strong bond.
Shyam Charan Murmu Personal Life and Family
Shyam Charan Murmu married Droupadi Murmu in 1980 in what is described as a love marriage, a rarity in their community at the time. According to family accounts, Shyam Charan approached Droupadi’s family with a marriage proposal, despite initial resistance from her father, Biranchi Narayan Tudu. He reportedly stayed at Droupadi’s home for several days, accompanied by relatives, to persuade her family. The marriage adhered to Santhal tribal customs, with the groom’s side providing dowry, including a bullock, a cow, and 16 pairs of clothes.
The couple settled in Rairangpur, Mayurbhanj, after Shyam Charan was transferred there for work. They had four children: two sons, Laxman Murmu and Sipun Murmu, a daughter named Itishree Murmu, and another daughter who died in infancy in 1984. Tragically, the family faced immense personal losses. Laxman Murmu died in 2009 under mysterious circumstances, and Sipun Murmu perished in a road accident in 2012. These losses deeply affected Shyam Charan, who struggled to cope with the grief. Droupadi Murmu later shared that her meditation practice helped her endure these tragedies, but Shyam Charan was less resilient.
On August 1, 2014, Shyam Charan Murmu passed away at the age of 56 due to a cardiac arrest, just two years after his younger son’s death. His death marked another devastating blow for Droupadi, who also lost her mother and a brother between 2009 and 2015. Itishree Murmu, their surviving daughter, works as a bank employee and is married to Ganesh Hembram, a rugby player. The couple has a daughter, making Shyam Charan a grandfather posthumously.
Shyam Charan Murmu Career
Shyam Charan Murmu was a professional banker who worked with the Bank of India and served as an office bearer in the Odisha Unit of the Bank of India Officers’ Association (BOIOA). His career began after completing his education, and he was initially posted in his hometown before being transferred to Rairangpur, where he settled with his family. As a bank officer, he was known for his diligence, though specific details about his professional achievements or roles are not widely documented.
Unlike his wife, who transitioned from teaching to a prominent political career, Shyam Charan remained focused on his banking profession. His work provided stability for the family, allowing Droupadi to pursue her early roles as a teacher and later as a politician. While Droupadi’s political rise brought public attention, Shyam Charan maintained a low profile, with no known social media presence or public engagements.
Shyam Charan Murmu Net Worth
There is no definitive information available regarding Shyam Charan Murmu’s net worth at the time of his death in 2014. As a bank officer, his income would have been modest, aligned with the salary structure of public sector bank employees in India during his time. His family’s financial status was likely supported by his earnings and later by Droupadi Murmu’s income from her political and gubernatorial roles. For context, Droupadi Murmu’s net worth, as per her 2014 affidavit, included assets of approximately ₹2.09 crores and liabilities of ₹14 lakhs, but this reflects her financial status, not Shyam Charan’s. Given the lack of specific data, his net worth remains undisclosed.
Legacy
Shyam Charan Murmu’s legacy is closely tied to his family, particularly his wife, Droupadi Murmu, who made history as India’s first tribal and second female President. After his death, Droupadi converted their family home in Pahadpur into the SLS (Shyam, Laxman, & Sipun) Memorial Residential School, named in memory of her husband and sons. The school includes a memorial dedicated to Shyam Charan and his sons, symbolizing their enduring impact on her life.
Though Shyam Charan did not seek public recognition, his support enabled Droupadi to pursue her remarkable career, from a teacher to the Governor of Jharkhand and eventually the President of India. His life, marked by personal tragedies, reflects the resilience of tribal communities in overcoming adversity. The love story between Shyam Charan and Droupadi, rooted in their shared values and perseverance, remains a poignant part of their family’s narrative.
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FAQs
Who was Shyam Charan Murmu?
Shyam Charan Murmu was an Indian banker and the husband of Droupadi Murmu, the 15th President of India. He was born on April 1, 1958, and passed away on August 1, 2014, due to a cardiac arrest.
What was Shyam Charan Murmu’s profession?
He was a bank officer who worked with the Bank of India and served as an office bearer in the Odisha Unit of the Bank of India Officers’ Association (BOIOA).
When and how did Shyam Charan Murmu die?
Shyam Charan Murmu died on August 1, 2014, at the age of 56, due to a cardiac arrest, following the tragic losses of his two sons.
How did Shyam Charan Murmu and Droupadi Murmu meet?
They met while studying at Rama Devi College in Bhubaneswar and later married in 1980 in a love marriage, despite initial resistance from Droupadi’s family.
What is the SLS Memorial Residential School?
The SLS (Shyam, Laxman, & Sipun) Memorial Residential School in Pahadpur was established by Droupadi Murmu in memory of her husband and two sons. It includes a memorial dedicated to them.
Was Shyam Charan Murmu involved in politics?
No, Shyam Charan Murmu was not involved in politics. He focused on his banking career, while his wife, Droupadi Murmu, pursued a prominent political career.
