Pala: During her visit to Pala, the occasion witnessed President Droupadi Murmu’s warm affection for her staff, a sentiment that brought her senior nurse officer, Bindu Shaji, to be present.

“When I visit Pala, you should be there as well.” President Droupadi Murmu warmly advised her senior nurse officer Bindu Shaji in Delhi. Bindu promptly responded, echoing the President’s sentiment.

True to that request, both Bindu and her daughter Sneha Mary Shaji, were present at the 75th anniversary celebrations of St Thomas College here. The occasion highlighted the President’s affectionate rapport with her staff at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Bindu shared how the President treats her staff like family, taking interest in their lives. Sneha, having learnt dance, even performed before the President, while the younger daughter, Sandra, has also won the President’s affection. Sneha, who studied in Delhi, returned this year to pursue higher studies at St Thomas College, making the visit particularly special.

Bindu had joined Rashtrapati Bhavan 26 years ago, previously working at Apollo Hospital in Delhi. She hails from Thodupuzha and her late husband Shaji Chacko was from Ettumanoor.

This is not Bindu’s first brush with the highest office; she was also present when President K R Narayanan and later President Pratibha Patil visited Kerala, and she had taught Malayalam songs to the President during Patil’s visit to Kottayam in 2012, which became a memorable topic at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

The story reflects a heartwarming mix of personal connections, cultural pride and the President’s commitment to her staff and hometown.