Rajendra Prasad

Rajendra Prasad. He was the inaugural President of India, serving from 1950 to 1962, and remains the longest-serving holder of the office. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, Prasad was a pivotal leader in the Indian independence movement and served as president of the Indian National Congress. His tenure as President was marked by his commitment to constitutional propriety and the consolidation of the nascent Republic of India.

Early life and education

Born in the village of Zeradei in the Saran district of the Bengal Presidency, Prasad was raised in a close-knit Kayasta family. He displayed academic prowess early, studying at the Chapra District School before attending the prestigious Presidency College, Kolkata. He later earned his law degree from the University of Calcutta's Ripon College, where he excelled, topping the university's examination. During his studies in Kolkata, he was deeply influenced by the Swadeshi movement and joined the Bihar Students' Conference.

Role in the Indian independence movement

Prasad formally entered public life after being inspired by Mahatma Gandhi during the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917, where he assisted as a volunteer. He became a devoted follower of Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha and non-cooperation, leaving his legal practice to join the Indian independence movement full-time. He served as President of the Indian National Congress during its Lahore session in 1929 and again in 1934. A key organizer, he was imprisoned by the British Raj authorities on multiple occasions, including during the Quit India Movement of 1942. Following independence, he was elected the permanent President of the Constituent Assembly of India, playing a crucial role in the drafting of the Constitution of India.

Presidency

Upon India's transition to a republic, Prasad was unanimously elected as the first President of India in 1950. His two-term presidency, working alongside Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, was defined by a scrupulous adherence to the Constitution of India and the establishment of conventions for the largely ceremonial office. He presided over the integration of former princely states like Hyderabad and oversaw the implementation of the First Five-Year Plan. Significant events during his tenure included the Liberation of Goa and the Sino-Indian War of 1962. He established a precedent of acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers while occasionally offering moral and constitutional counsel.

Post-presidency and later life

After declining a third term, Prasad retired from active politics in 1962. He was honored with the nation's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, that same year. He spent his final years in Patna at the Sadaqat Ashram, a residence he had long used, dedicating himself to writing. His literary works from this period include his autobiography, *Atmakatha*. His health declined, and he passed away on 28 February 1963. His funeral in Patna was attended by dignitaries from across the nation, including President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Prime Minister Nehru.

Legacy and honors

Prasad is remembered as a symbol of dignity, simplicity, and scholarly wisdom in Indian public life. Numerous institutions bear his name, including the Rajendra Prasad Medical College in Ranchi, Rajendra Agricultural University in Pusa, and the Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Samastipur. His legacy is preserved at the Rajendra Smriti Sangrahalaya in Patna. In addition to the Bharat Ratna, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Calcutta. His life and work continue to be studied as integral to the foundation of modern India and the office of its presidency.

Category:Presidents of India Category:Recipients of the Bharat Ratna Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Bihar