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Dr Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad - First President of Republic India
Dr Rajendra Prasad was born on 3rd December 1884. He was the first President of Republic India. He was a trained lawyer and an active member of Indian National Congress. He actively participated in the Independence movement of India and was one of the leaders who led this movement from Bihar. Since, he was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi and was involved in the Salt Satyagraha movement of 1931 and Quit India movement in 1942, he was poisoned by the ruling British government. He served as the President of Indian National congress from 1934 to 1935.
In 1950, when India became Republic, he was elected as India’s first President. He always encouraged education in the country. He was re-elected to be the President of the country in 1957. He is the only person to be elected as the President of India twice.
In 1962, he retired from his professional career and also was awarded with the most precious civilian award of Bharat Ratna for his literary contribution in the field of Education in India. He took his last breathe on 28th February 1963.
Early Life
Dr Rajendra Prasad was born in Bihar near Chappra in Zeradei, Siwan district. He was a Kayastha. Mahadev Sahai, father of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, was an intellect in Sanskrit and Persian languages whereas Kamleshwari Devi, his mother was a spiritual lady and always narrated the epic of Ramayana toher son, Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Educational Qualification
At the age of five, he was sent to learn Persian and Hindi language and Arithmetic under the guidance of a Muslim intellect. After completing his primary and basic education, he went to Chapra district School. He got married to Rajavanshi Devi at the tender age of 12. He then again started his education at T.K. Ghosh’s Academy located in Patna where his brother also accompanied him for two years. He received a scholarship of Rs 30 each month after he was ranked number 1 in the entrance examination of the University of Calcutta. He joined as a science student in 1902 in Presidency College, Calcutta. After completing his Intermediate level of education, he later joined the Calcutta University as F.A in March 1904. He has been a scholar throughout his educational tenure. Once on his answer sheet, it was written by the examiner “examinee is better than the examiner”. He then pursued masters in Economics getting a first division in Calcutta University in 1907 in month of December. While pursuing masters, he stayed at Eden Hindu Hostel with his brother. He was a dynamic participant of the Dawn Society and was a public activist. Later, he denied being member of servants of India Society so that he could take responsibility of his family and pursue his education. He was one of the influential persons and supported the formation of Bihari Students Conference in 1906 that happened in the hall of College of Patna. This organization was first in its own type in the country and gave many powerful leaders to the country and the list includes people like Dr. Anugrah Narayan Sinha and Shri Krishna Singh.
Career
As a Teacher
Since, Dr Rajendra Prasad was a promoter of education in India, he opted to teach in educational institutions after finishing his masters in economics. He started as a professor in English at Langat Singh College located in the city of Muzaffarpur in Bihar and later became the principal of the college. Later, he left this job to carry on his legal education. While he was studying law in 1909, he also continued to teach Economics in the Calcutta City College. He completed his masters in law as a gold medallist during the year 1915. Later, in 1937, he pursued his Doctorate in Law from the University of Allahabad.
As a lawyer
He started practicing as a lawyer in High Court of Bihar and Odissa in 1916. He was selected to work as a Senate and Syndicates first member in the University of Patna in 1917. He further practiced his law in city of Bhagalpur also known as the silk-town of Bihar.
Other Positions Held
1967–72 | Deputy Minister, Public Health, Prohibition, Tourism, Housing & Parliamentary Affairs, Government of Maharashtra |
1972–74 | Cabinet Minister, Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra |
1974–75 | Cabinet Minister, Public Health & Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra |
1975–76 | Cabinet Minister, Prohibition, Rehabilitation and Cultural Affairs, Government of Maharashtra |
1977–78 | Cabinet Minister, Education, Government of Maharashtra |
1979–1980 | Leader of the Opposition, Maharashtra Legislative Assembly |
1982–85 | Cabinet Minister, Urban Development and Housing, Government of Maharashtra |
1983–85 | Cabinet Minister, Civil Supplies and Social Welfare, Government of Maharashtra |
1986–1988 | Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha |
1986–88 | Chairman, Committee of Privileges, Rajya Sabha; Member, Business Advisory Committee, Rajya Sabha |
1991–1996 | Chairman, House Committee, Lok Sabha |
8 November 2004 – 23 June 2007 | Governor of Rajasthan |
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