Dr. Rajendra Prasad Birth Anniversary

December 4, 2023

Context: The President of India, paid tributes to Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India on his birth anniversary i.e., on December 3rd, 2023.

About Dr. Rajendra Prasad:

Birth: Born to Mahadev Sahai Srivastava (a Sanskrit and Persian language scholar) and Kamleshwari Devi on 3rd December 1884 in Ziradei, Siwan, Bihar.

Rajendra Prasad

Known For: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was an independence activist, lawyer, scholar and was an influential leader during the Indian freedom struggle.
- When India became a republic in 1950, he was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly and became the longest-serving head of India (for 12 years).
In 1962, he retired from politics and public life.
Death: He died on 28th February 1963 at the Sadaqat Ashram in Patna, at the age of 78.

Education:

At the early age of 5, under the guidance of a Moulavi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad learned Persian, Hindi, and arithmetic.
Higher Studies: He won a scholarship to study at the University of Calcutta and joined the Presidency College in Calcutta.
In 1907, he completed his MA in Economics. During his college, he was an active social activist and joined the Dawn Society and the Servants of India Society.
- After completing his MA, he became a professor of English at the Langat Singh College in Bihar and went on to become the principal.
In 1909, he pursued his law studies in Kolkata.
- While pursuing his law studies, he also worked as a Professor of Economics at Calcutta City College.
In 1915, he passed the examination of master’s in law from the Department of Law, University of Calcutta, and won a gold medal.
- In 1916, he commenced his legal career in the Patna High Court.
In 1937, he completed his Doctorate in Law from Allahabad University.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Literary Works:

Satyagraha at Champaran (1922)
Division of India (1946)
Atmakatha (1946)
- His autobiography written during his 3-year prison term in Bankipur Jail
Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar, Some Reminiscences (1949)
Bapu Ke Qadmon Men (1954)
Since Independence (published in 1960)
Bharatiya Shiksha
At the feet of Mahatma Gandhi

Dr. Rajendra Prasad and his association with the Indian National Congress (INC):

As a Volunteer: In 1906, during his student days, he attended an INC session as a volunteer.
Member: In 1911, he officially joined the INC (in the annual session held in Calcutta).

Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Contribution to Constitutional Making:

President: In October 1934, he was elected President of the INC during the Bombay session.
- He became President of the Constituent Assembly in July 1946.
- Committees of Constituent Assembly under his Chairmanship:
  - Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag
  - Committee on the Rules of Procedure
  - Finance and Staff Committee
  - Steering Committee

Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s role in the National Movement of India:

Champaran Satyagraha: Dr. Rajendra Prasad supported the ‘Champaran Satyagraha‘.
- He called for non-cooperation in Bihar as part of Gandhiji’s non-cooperation movement.
- He toured Bihar, holding public meetings and making heartfelt speeches supporting the movement.
Left with Law Practice: Dr. Rajendra Prasad gave up his law practice and started a National College near Patna, in 1921 and dedicated himself to the cause of freedom.
Action on Boycott: In response to Gandhi’s call for a boycott of Western educational institutions, he dropped his son from school and enrolled him in Bihar Vidyapeeth.
- Bihar Vidyapeeth was an institution that was developed on the traditional Indian model by him and his colleagues.
Imprisonment: Being an activist of the Independence movement, he was imprisoned multiple times by the Britishers, such as
- In 1931, for participating in the Salt Satyagraha Movement.
- In 1942, for being an active member of the Quit India Movement.

His Humanitarian Actions:

In 1914, when floods struck Bihar and Bengal, he helped people.
In January 1934, after experiencing the earthquake, he set up the Bihar Central Relief Committee and raised funds to help the affected people.

His Legacy:

President of India: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected unanimously in 1952 as the President of India.
He was re-elected in 1957 and remains the only President of India to achieve this feat.
- Longest Tenure: Prasad is the only President to serve two full terms and he stayed in office for the longest term of around 12 years.
During his rule, the Mughal Gardens at the Rashtrapati Bhavan were opened to the public for the first time for about a month, and it has since become a major tourist attraction.
Bharat Ratna: Dr. Rajendra Prasad was awarded with the nation’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1962.