Wednesday, Dec 03, 2025 23:15 [IST]
Last Update: Tuesday, Dec 02, 2025 17:46 [IST]
Many stalwarts of the freedom movement have been, or are
being, forgotten today, while new “old” heroes are being pushed onto the
horizon. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India, along with Dr.
Rajendra Prasad—both close associates of Mahatma Gandhi—belong to a bygone but
distinguished era.
The prestige and honour of Sardar Patel have been restored
to a considerable extent, with his birthday (31st October) now observed
nationally as Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, and the subsequent erection of his
statue—the tallest in the world—at Kevadia in Gujarat. But not many remember
the sacrifice, patriotism, and greatness of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, who first
served as the President of the Constituent Assembly and later as the President
of our Republic for two consecutive terms spanning over twelve years.
Babu Rajendra Prasad, as he was affectionately known, was
the epitome of humility, integrity, and simplicity. He was born on 3rd December
1884 into a modest family in Ziradei village of Siwan district in the erstwhile
Bengal Presidency.
On the occasion of his 141st birth anniversary today,
let us go down memory lane to remember this brilliant leader and extraordinary
scholar, a devoted son of Mother India.
He remains the only President of the Republic of India to
have served two consecutive terms—from January 26, 1950, to May 13, 1962—the
longest tenure of any Indian President. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat
Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honour.
His Educational and Legal Pursuits
Owing to its heritage, health facilities, and academic
opportunities, erstwhile Calcutta would attract students from present-day
Bihar, Odisha, the entire Northeast, Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim. The arrival of
Rajendra Babu in pursuit of education and a professional career was thus not
unusual.
Always a Topper
After securing first position in the entrance test of
Calcutta University in 1902, he went on to top both his graduate and
postgraduate examinations by 1907. Prior to studying law at Calcutta and
practising at the Calcutta High Court, he taught at the famous L.S. College,
Muzaffarpur. He became a Professor of Law at a relatively young age at the Law
College in Calcutta in 1914. After securing first-class first position in his
Master of Law examination in 1915, he contributed to the establishment of the
Patna High Court in 1916.
Attempt at Journalism
In 1918, owing to his command of the English language, he
tried his hand at journalism by setting up Searchlight, an English daily
in Patna, in association with Sachidanand Sinha and Hasan Imam.
Foray into the Freedom Struggle
His association with the freedom struggle began during
1917–18, when he joined Mahatma Gandhi at the famous Champaran Satyagraha in
north Bihar. By 1920, he gave up his legal practice completely to work
full-time for the Non-Cooperation Movement.
Arrest for the Cause of Freedom: Presidency of Congress
His first arrest came on July 5, 1930, when he was taken
into custody during the historic Salt Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi.
His political career took a significant turn on January 6,
1933, when he took over as the Executive Chairman of the Congress Party. His
talent and dedication to the freedom struggle were recognised when he was
elected as the full-fledged President of the Congress Party on October 26,
1934, and he presided over the crucial AICC session in Bombay.
He was again called upon to serve as Congress President
after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose resigned from the post.
Second Arrest
Dr. Prasad was arrested a second time on August 9, 1942, for
his active role in the Quit India Movement, and he remained behind bars until
June 15, 1945.
First Food & Agriculture Minister
On September 2, 1946, he had the honour of being appointed
as the Food and Agriculture Minister in the Interim Government. During this
tenure, he coined the famous slogan “Grow More Food.”
Head of the Constituent Assembly & First President of
the New Republic
His path toward the presidency of India began when he took
over from Sachidanand Sinha as President of the Constituent Assembly on
December 11, 1946—a role he held until January 24, 1950.
As is well known, Dr. Prasad took over as the first
President of the Indian Republic on January 26, 1950, and served until May 13,
1962. After completing his two terms, he lived a simple life at the Congress
Party office in Patna.
He did not own a house. It is rare to find such a statesman.
He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour.
When he passed away on February 28, 1963, the then Prime
Minister of India did not attend his last rites. Similar shabby treatment had
earlier been given to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
This was a generation that never worked for themselves—only
for the country. It is rare to find such parallels in the annals of history.
The legacy of Rajendra Babu as a student, lawyer,
journalist, scholar par excellence, and later as a freedom fighter, statesman
and India’s first President, should inspire all Indians. His humility, simplicity,
dedication to public service and profound commitment to democracy will forever
remain hallmarks of true public life.
We may conclude with another of his famous quotes:
“In attaining our ideals, our means should be as pure as
the end.”
