IN FOND MEMORY OF DESH RATNA Dr. RAJENDRA PRASAD
Many of the stalwarts of the Freedom movement have been or are being forgotten nowadays and new ‘old’ heroes are being placed in public domain. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, the Iron Man of India alongwith Dr. Rajendra Prasad, both close associates of Mahatma Gandhi during freedom struggle belong to a bygone but very distinguished era.
Prestige and honour of Sardar Patel has been restored to a considerable extent in terms of his birthday, 31st October being observed nationally as Rastriya Ekta Diwas and subsequent erection of his 597 feet high statue, highest in the world, at Kevadia, 100 kms from Vadodara in Gujarat. Incidently, the mammoth statue was inaugurated on October 31,2018, the 143rd Birth anniversary day of first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India.
But NOT many would remember the sacrifice, patriotism and greatness of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who first served as the President of Constituent Assembly and later as the President of our Republic twice for over twelve years.
It is sad to note that no function either at national or Bihar state level is held in his honour on his Birth or Death Anniversary.
Babu Rajendra Prasad, as he was affectionately known, was an epitome of humility, integrity and simplicity. He was born on 3rd December 1884 in a non descript family of Ziradei village of Siwan District of erstwhile Presidency of Bengal.
On the day of his 141st Birth Anniversary TODAY let us go down memory lane and attempt to remember this brilliant leader and extraordinary scholar son of Mother India.
He was the only President of new Republic of India to have served two consecutive terms as President from January 26 1950 to May 13,1962. It is also the longest term for any President.
Educational and Legal Pursuits
Erstwhile Calcutta due to its heritage, health, educational opportunities and cosmopolitan make up would attract students from present Bihar, erstwhile Orissa, entire North East, Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim. So arrival of Rajendra Babu in pursuit of higher education and a worthwhile career was no exception.
Always A Topper
After securing first position in the entrance test of Calcutta University in 1902, he went on to top Graduate and Post Graduate examinations, both of Calcutta University by 1907. Prior to studying Law at Calcutta and practicing at Calcutta High Court, he taught at famous L.S. College ,Muzaffarpur. He went on to become Professor of Law at a relatively young age at Law College, Calcutta in 1914. After securing first class first rank in Master of Law examination in 1915 he contributed to setting up of Patna High Court in 1916.
Attempt At Journalism
In 1918, in view of his deep knowledge and command over the English language , he tried his hand also at journalism when he set up Searchlight, an English daily at Patna in association with Sachidanand Sinha and Hasan Imam.
Foray Into Freedom Struggle
During 1917-18 his association with Freedom struggle began when he joined Mahatma Gandhi at the famous Satyagraha at Champaran District of North Bihar. By 1920, he gave up legal practice completely to work in Non- Co operation Movement on a full time basis.
Arrest For The Cause of Freedom, Presidency of Congress
His first arrest was on July 5,1930 when he was taken into custody during the famous Salt Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi in Gujarat.
His political career received a remarkable break on January 6, 1933 when he was made the Executive Chairman of Congress Party. His talent and devotion to the Freedom struggle was further recognised when he was elected as full fledged President of the Congress party on October 26,1934.
He presided over the crucial and tumultuous All India Congress Committee (AICC) in Bombay.
He was privileged to become President of the party again when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose resigned as the President over his differences with Gandhi jee and others.
Second Arrest
Rajendra Babu was arrested for the second time on August 9, 1942 for his active role in Quit India Movement and was put behind bar upto June 15, 1945.
Distinction As First Food & Agriculture Minister
On September 2,1946, he had the honour to be appointed as the Food and Agriculture Minister in the national Interim Government. Not only did he showed his prowess, he gave the famous slogan ” GROW MORE FOOD” during this important assignment. Prior to it, India was faced with severe challenges, such as, famine and drought.
Head of Constituent Assembly & First President of Republic of India
His march towards coveted Indian Presidency was paved smoothly when he took over as President of Constituent Assembly from Sachidanand Sinha on December 11, 1946 and continued in this capacity till January 24, 1950.
It is unfortunate that role of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, as Chairman of Drafting Committee of Constituent Assembly is highlighted more nowadays but contribution of Dr. Prasad and twelve other distinguished members of the Assembly is rarely mentioned.
As is widely known, Dr. Rajendra Prasad took over as the first President of Indian Republic on January 26,1950 and continued in this capacity upto May 13, 1962.
After finishing his two terms, he lived life as an ordinary or frugal man at Sadaqat Ashram, Congress party office in Patna.
He did not own a house of his own. It is rare to get such a down to earth and well meaning Statesman.
He was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.
When he expired on February 28, 1963, at the age of 78 years, the then Prime Minister of India did not even attend his last rites. Similar shabby treatment was given to Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel when he too breathed his last on December 15,1950 at the age of 71.
Here was a generation that never worked for self promotion or for the sake of family. They only worked for the country. It is rare to get such parallels in the annals of history, anywhere.
Legacy of Rajedra Babu as a student, lawyer, journalist, and scholar, par excellance and later as a Freedom fighter, statesman and India ‘s First President should inspire and motivate all Indians, specially youth.
His humility, simplicity, dedication to public service, profound commitment to democracy will remain the characteristic feature of public service in India.
We may conclude by his another famous QUOTE :
“In attaining our ideals, our means should be as pure as the End.”
Alok K.Shrivastava
Ex-Chief Secretary, SIKKIM