Essays

Dr Rajendra Prasad, son of Mahadev Sahai was born in Zeeradei village of Saran district (now, Siwan) in Bihar on December 3,1884, Being the youngest in a large joint family, he was greatly loved and was strongly attached to his mother and elder brother Mahendra. Zeeradei's population was cosmopolitan in nature and the people lived together in happiness and harmony Rajendra Prasad spent his childhood days playing 'Kabaddi' with his Hindu and Muslim friends. He got married when he was barely 12 years old to Rajvanshi Devi A brilliant student throughout school and college, he stood first in the entrance examination of the University of Calcutta and was awarded a $30 per month scholarship. He Joined the Presidency College of Calcutta in 1902.

The partition of Bengal in 1905 fueled the Swadeshi and Boycott movements. The movements had a deep effect on students in Calcutta. One day, residents of his hostel created a bonfire of all the foreign clothings they had. Rajendra passed his examinations with honours, winning a gold medal. He then completed his Doctorate in Law to attain the title Dr.

While Gandhiji was in Champaran district of Bihar touring India and beginning his initial experiments of ahimsa on the advice of his guru Gopal Krishna Gokahle, he called on Rajendra Prasad to come to Champaran with volunteers. Dr Prasad rushed to Champaran and remained unimpressed with Gandhiji's appearance or conversation But, gradually, Dr Prasad melted in the light of the man's sincere dedication, conviction and courage. Here was a man who had forsaken a bright career in law for 'his nation and who had made the cause of the people of Champaran his cause. From that point onwards, Dr Prasad became Gandhiji's dedicated follower. Gandhiji's influence greatly altered many of Dr Prasad's views, most importantly, on untouchability. Gandhiji made Dr Prasad realize that when the nation was working for a common cause, they "became of one caste, namely the caste of co-workers." Dr Prasad immediately simplified his already simple life- He reduced the number of servants he had to none. He no longer felt shame in sweeping the floor, or washing his own utensils. Thereafter, he dedicated alt his life to the welfare and service of the people of his country. In 1914, when floods ravaged Bihar and Bengal, Dr Prasad became a volunteer distributing food and clothes to the flood victims. In 1934, Bihar was shaken by an earthquake. The quake caused immense damage and loss of property. The quake was followed by floods and an outbreak of malaria. Dr Prasad completely got himself engaged in with the relief works, collecting and distributing food, clothes and medicine.  Dr Prasad was shocked by the British Government's atrocities at Jallianwalla Bagh, He called for Non-Cooperation in Bihar as part of Gandhiji's Non-Cooperation Movement. Dr Prasad gave up law practice and started a National College near Patna, 1927. The college was later shifted to Sadaqat Ashram on the banks of the Ganga. The Non Cooperation movement in Bihar spread like wildfire. Dr Prasad extensively toured the State, holding public meetings one after another, collecting funds and galvanizing people for a complete boycott of schools, colleges and Government offices. He urged people to take up spinning and wear only Khadi. Bihar and the entire nation was taken by storm, the people responded to the leaders' call. The machinery of the mighty British Raj was coming to a grinding halt. Mass arrests were made. Lala Lajpat Rai, Jawaharlal Nehru, Deshbandhu Chitranjan Das and Maulana Azad were arrested, Then, as it happened, the peaceful non-cooperation turned violent in Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh, In the light of the events at Chauri Chaura, Gandhiji called off the Civil Disobedience Movement. The entire nation was puzzled. A murmur of dissent began within the top brass of the Congress. Gandhiji was criticized for what is called the 'Bardoli Retreat'.

Dr Prasad stood by his mentor. In March 1930, Gandhiji launched the Salt Satyagraha. The Salt Satyagraha was launched in Bihar under the direction of Dr Prasad. Nakhas Pond in Patna was chosen as the site of the Satyagraha. Batch after batch of volunteers courted arrest while making salt. Many volunteers were injured. Dr Prasad called for more volunteers. Public opinion forced the government to retract the police and allow the volunteers to make salt. Dr Prasad sold the manufactured salt to raise funds. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. In 1934, Dr Prasad's elder brother, Mahendra died. Rajendra Prasad was deeply affected and he turned to the Bhagwad Gita for solace.

Dr Prasad presided over the Bombay session of the Indian National Congress in October 1934. Following the' resignation of Subhash Chandra Bose as the President of the Congress in April 1939, Dr Prasad was elected the President, He did his best to reduce the schism between the incompatible ideologies of Subhash Chandra Bose and Gandhiji- As the freedom struggle progressed, the dark shadow of communalism which had always lurked in the background, steadily grew. To Dr Prasad's dismay, communal riots spontaneously burst all over the country and in Bihar. He rushed from one scene to another to control the riots- Independence was fast approaching and so was the prospect of Partition, Dr Prasad, who had such fond memories of playing with his Hindu and Muslim friends in Zeeradei, now had the misfortune of witnessing the nation being ripped into two.

The Constituent Assembly formed in July 1946, to frame the Constitution of India elected Dr Rajendra Prasad as its President, On November 26, 1946 the Constitution of India was completed and accepted by the people of India. On January 26, 1950, the Constitution was inaugurated and Dr Rajendra Prasad was elected the first President of India. Dr Prasad visited many countries on the missions of goodwill. He stressed for peace in a nuclear age. In 1962, after serving for 12 years as the President, Dr Prasad retired. He was awarded the highest civilian award of India, the Bharat Ratna. Dr Prasad authored many books including his autobiography 'Atmakatha' (1946) 'Satyagraha at Champaran' (1922), 'India Divided' (1946), 'Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar, Some Reminisences' (1949), and 'Bapu Ke Kadmon Mein' (1954). Dr Prasad spent the last few months of his life at the Sadaqat Ashram in Patna. He died on February 28, 1963.