Chandrani Murmu: The youngest-ever MP mentioned in PM Modi's Lok Sabha speech

In a recent address to the Lok Sabha during a special session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched upon the historical significance of the Old Parliament while shedding light on the impressive diversity of its members. The Prime Minister, in his speech, revealed that over 7500 public representatives have graced the hallowed halls of both Houses, with approximately 600 of them being women.

Highlighting the unique aspect of the age and tenures of Members of Parliament (MPs), PM Modi paid tribute to the legacy of respected Indrajit Gupta, who had a remarkable 43-year tenure in the House. He fondly remembered how Gupta bore witness to the House's evolution over nearly half a century.

Furthermore, PM Modi acknowledged the House's role as a platform for lifelong contributions, citing the example of Shatigur Rahman, who continued to serve the House even at the age of 93.

However, what garnered special attention during the Prime Minister's speech was the mention of the youngest MP in the history of the Indian Parliament. PM Modi proudly announced, "Respected Speaker, it is the strength of India's democracy that 25-year-old Chandramani Murmu became a member of this House, she became the youngest member of this House at the age of only 25 years."

So, who exactly is Chandrani Murmu?

Chandrani Murmu, born on June 16, 1993, is the youngest Indian Member of Parliament. She hails from a family deeply rooted in public service, with her father, Sanjiv Murmu, being a government employee and her mother, Urbashi Soren, the daughter of former MP Hariharan Soren, who represented Keonjhar on behalf of the Congress in 1980 and 1984.

Chandrani Murmu pursued her education and completed her B. Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from I.T.E.R. (Institute of Technical Education and Research), Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

In a historic moment, Chandrani Murmu secured her place in the 17th Lok Sabha in 2019 as a Member of Parliament representing the Keonjhar parliamentary constituency in Odisha on the ticket of BJD. Notably, the Keonjhar constituency is reserved for scheduled tribes. At the time of her election, she was a mere 25 years and 11 months old, making her the youngest MP to grace the hallowed chambers of the Indian Parliament. In this groundbreaking achievement, she defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) two-time MP, Ananta Nayak.

According to the Lok Sabha website, her special interest lies in improving educational opportunities for rural residents. She has also served as a member of two parliamentary committees, namely External Affairs and Railways, further highlighting her commitment to contributing meaningfully to the nation's governance.