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.

• 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. 

News Source: Times of India