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.

Our Munshi Premchand

Munshi Premchand was an unparalleled novelist in Urdu and Hindi language. He was born on 31st July 1880 in a penniless Kayasth family of Lamahee Village. His mother was Anandi. His father, Munshi Ajayab Lal was a post office staff. At the age of 7, Premchand lost his mother. His father wedded for a second time. Premchand was not happy with his step mother. His stepmother proved a nuisance for him. He did not receive love and motherly affection. The child needs the tender touch from his or her parents without which he or she cannot grow properly from within. But, Premchand had to suffer a lot. He lost his taste in studying. However, he managed, somehow, to pass his matriculation examination with second division. His academic performance was not so bright. As he had no interest in Mathematics, he had to fail twice in the intermediate examination. At last, he had decided to leave the school. Child marriage was a sacred tradition in society. He was also pressurized for nuptials in his adolescence. He tied the knot at the age of 15. He had to shoulder his family responsibility. He faced the problems of livelihood. He started to give tuitions to the students. He used to cover a long distance of several miles daily on foot for teaching his students. He was also appointed as school inspector at Gorakhpur. But, he resigned himself from the government jobs for contributing to the freedom struggle of India.

He had an instinctive quality to write stories. He was a kind man. He was deeply moved with the pathetic conditions of Indian people. His works expresses his sensitivity. Initially, he started to write in Urdu with a pseudonym nabab Roy. He expressed not only the miserable conditions of people but also revolted against injustice. The English became aware of that fact and banned his works under publications. But that could not bring to an end of his writing for people. He started writing in Hindi with his new name, Premchand. The actual name of Premchand was Dhanpat Roy. That was the starting point of real journey of literature. He contributed his whole life to serve literature.

His own life was full of difficulties and struggles. His sufferings gave him insights to observe the afflictions of others appropriately. He wrote against exploitation, unawareness, suppressions, poverty and brutality. He always favored farmers and untouchables. His novels communicate his contemporary society and its people. They are full of real stories and events. He added a new dimension to art of novel writing. His description of characters and themes in his composition is outstanding. His works indicate that the phony pragmatism and optimism cannot accomplish the welfare of the underprivileged. It seems that he was impressed by Marxism. He advocated that human characters are affected and transformed by company which one has. His extensive thoughts and visions educate us countless things. ‘Seva Sadan’ portrays very aptly the situations that make a good woman a prostitute. ‘Premashram’ illustrates the sufferings of Indian peasants and widows. ‘Nirmala’ depicts the problem of child marriage. ‘Gaban’ and ‘Godan’ are one of the best novels written by him. The description of farmers in ‘Godan’ is rare even in the world literature. He convinced us by his writing that man is the foe of the man. ‘Rangbhumi’ and ‘Karambhumi’ also tell the social problems. He also composed several dramas. ‘Karbala’, ‘Sangram’ and ‘Prem Ki Vedi’ are some of the great drams. The anthology of his prose pieces is published in eight volumes under the heading ‘Manasarovar’. Premchand was such a great author that one cannot write down everything about him.