For Santhals, tribe at cusp of change, Droupadi Murmu is reason for pride

That is a lot of heft for a community that makes up about 7 million people and less than 10 per cent of all the tribes in India

From Sidhu and Kanhu Murmu, who led the rebellion against the East India Company in the 19th century, to Babulal Marandi, the first chief minister of the newly created state of Jharkhand, to Raghunath Murmu, who created the first-ever written script for the Santhali language, to G. C. Murmu, the first lieutenant governor of the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, and now Droupadi Murmu, who, if elected, will become the first tribal President of India, the Santhali tribe has subtly shaped India's identity over the years.

That is a lot of heft for a community that makes up about