Our Dr. Rajendra Prasad

Dr. Rajendra Prasad (December 3, 1884 – February 28, 1963) was the first President of the Republic of India . He played a prominent role in the Indian Independence Movement and in the formation of the Indian constitution. He was born in Jiradei village of Siwan, Bihar. His father was Mahadev Sahai and his mother was Kamleshwari Devi. He learned Persian and studied at Chhapra Zilla School. He was married at the age of 12 to Srimati Rajvanshi Devi. He then pursued his degree in Law at the Presidency College in 1902. After the completion of the doctorate degree in Law, he started to practice as the Lawyers in Bhagalpur. He met Bihar Kesari, Dr. Sri Krishna Sinha as well as Bihar Bibhuti, Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha. Both influenced him and he participated actively in the Indian freedom struggle.

When Mahatma Gandhi launched Champaran movement in Bihar, Rajendra Prasad worked as a dedicated volunteer and succeeded the movement. He resigned from the post of a Senator of the University in 1921 for the freedom movement during Civil Disobedience movement. Besides it, he presented a great example before the Indians by dropping his brilliant son, Mrityunjaya Prasad from the University during Mahatma Gandhi’s boycott of Western Education. He was in favor of renouncing everything for the welfare of the people and the country. He never hesitated to do so.

He wrote articles for the Searchlight and the Desh to arise the feeling of nationalism among the people. Those articles were very inspirational and convinced all people. They made people aware about the need of the hours. He directed the young to be the part of Indian freedom struggle. He used all his knowledge and experiences to the welfare of the poor and the ignorant. He took an active role in helping the affected people during the 1914 floods that struck Bihar and Bengal. Not only floods but earthquakes also damaged almost completely the people of Bihar. He had its bitter experience. However, he was in jail during the earthquake of Bihar taken placed on January 15, 1934; he led the masses and controlled the miserable situation at his best. After his release, he collected money over 38 Lakhs (Rs. 3,800,000) and the necessary goods for the victim. He proved himself as the true son of the Bharat Mata again and again. During the 1935 Quetta earthquake he helped his countrymen by raising the funds for the sufferer.

He was appointed as the President of Indian National Congress during the Bombay session in October 1934 and 1939. It was his great contribution and potential that made him competent and to be worthy of the first President of Indian Republic in 1950. Once Gandhi ji announced that the president of India would be a farmer not a farmer’s son. Dr Prasad proved it. He was such a great personalities of India that is beyond the comparison. He glorified his work which should be followed. He served India for 12 years as President. In 1962, he expressed his will to retire. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the nation's highest civilian award. He shared Gandhiji’s great vision – the making of a new man in society. He was a living embodiment of ‘simple living and high thinking’. He was a statesman, scholar, historian, educationist, exceptional idealist, social reformer and above all great constructive thinker. As president he had moderating impact on the political thinking of the period.