Dr Rajendra Prasad 135th Birth Anniversary: 7 Lesser-Known Facts About India’s First President

It is the 135th birth anniversary of Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on December 3 this year. Dr Rajendra Prasad is revered for his immense contribution to India’s struggle for independence. He was a member of the Indian National Congress and was known to be a political leader of fine acumen. Rajendra Prasad was born on December 3, 1884, at Ziradei (which in the present day is known as Bihar), in an affluent family, and had an amazing childhood as a student. As we observe the 135th birth anniversary of the decorated leader, we at LatestLY bring you seven lesser-known facts of Dr Rajendra Prasad – India’s first President.

1. Dr Rajendra Prasad was a bright student during his schooling days. Impressed by his vast knowledge, the examiner once complimented on his exam sheet saying, ‘the examinee is better than the examiner’.

2. Not many people know that Dr Rajendra Prasad had a career as a teacher and a lawyer before he took the plunge into politics and how!

3. During the Lucknow Session of Indian National Congress in 1916, Rajendra Prasad met Mahatma Gandhi. He was asked to volunteer in 1920 for Gandhi's fact-finding missions at Champaran. Dr Rajendra Prasad was so moved by Gandhiji's dedication that he quit his career as a lawyer and joined politics to support the Non-cooperation movement run by the Congress at the time. 

4. Before becoming the President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad was appointed as the President of Constituent Assembly of India in 1947 – the committee that prepared the Constitution of India eventually.

5. Dr Rajendra Prasad happens to be the only President in the Indian history who has completed two terms. He won the Presidential race in 1952 and 1957.

6. It is a little known fact that Dr Rajendra Prasad is also a Bharat Ratna awardee. He won the prestigious honour after he relinquished his office in the year 1962.

7. Dr Rajendra Prasad was very fond of literature too. Some of his literary works include Satyagraha at Champaran, Atmakatha, and At the feet of Mahatma Gandhi among others.

Dr Rajendra Prasad was an ardent supporter to improve the condition of the education system in India. Even while he was the President of India, he had persuaded the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on the same matter for several occasions. As we celebrate the 135th birth anniversary of the much-revered political leader, we wish Dr Rajendra Prasad’s soul rests in peace, and thank him much for his contribution to India’s independence.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 03, 2019 10:17 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).