Dr. Rajendra Prasad Biography, Contributions, Achievements

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Birth Anniversary is celebrated on 3rd December every year. He is a well known freedom fighter who fought for Indian Independence. A remarkable scholar, lawyer and independence activist, he was elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly in 1950 and became the longest serving head of India for about 12 years. On this day, let’s look at the life and achievements of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. 

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Educational Background

• Dr. Rajendr Prasad was well versed in Persian, Hindi and Arithmetic at an early age. 
• He completed his graduation from Presidency College, Calcutta as a scholarship student. 
• He completed his MA in Economics and was also a member of Servants of India Society and Dawn society during his college years. 
• He was appointed as the Principal of Langar Singh College at Bihar.
• In 1909 he pursued the degree of law from a college in Kolkata. 

Dr. rajendra Prasad Literary Works

As a learned activist and leader, Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s literary works are full of stories and information about the Indian Freedom struggle. Here is a list of works of Dr. Rajendra Prasad- 

• Satyagraha at Champaran (1922)
• Division of India (1946)
• Atmakatha (1946) 
• Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar, Some Reminiscences (1949)
• Bapu Ke Qadmon Men (1954)
• Since Independence (published in 1960)
• Bharatiya Shiksha
• At the feet of Mahatma Gandhi 

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Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Role during the Indian Freedom Struggle

Following are Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Contributions to India’s National Movement

1. Champaran Satyagraha:
   • Dr. Rajendra Prasad actively supported the Champaran Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi.
   • He called for non-cooperation in Bihar as part of Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement and toured the state, organizing public meetings and delivering impassioned speeches to garner support.
2. Dedication to the Freedom Struggle:
   • In 1921, he left his flourishing law practice to establish a National College near Patna, dedicating himself fully to India’s freedom struggle.
   • Responding to Gandhi’s call to boycott Western educational institutions, he withdrew his son from school and admitted him to Bihar Vidyapeeth, an institution he helped establish based on traditional Indian education models.
3. Imprisonment for Activism:
   • Dr. Rajendra Prasad faced imprisonment multiple times:
     • In 1931, for his participation in the Salt Satyagraha.
     • In 1942, for his active involvement in the Quit India Movement.

Through his unwavering dedication, Dr. Rajendra Prasad played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence. 

Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s Participation in Constitutional Making

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of Indian National Congress during the Bombay Session in October 1934. He later was also appointed as the President of the Constituent Assembly in July 1946. 

Under his leadership the following committees were constituted: 

• Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag
• Committee on the Rules of Procedure
• Finance and Staff Committee
• Steering Committee

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Legacy 

• Dr. Rajendra Prasad happens to be the only President who has been re-elected as the President twice unanimously in 1952 and then in 1957. 
• He has stayed in the office for the longest tenure of about 12 years. 
• The tradition of opening the Mughal Gardens for visitors was initiated for the first time under his leadership. 
• He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1962. 
• He retired from Politics in 1962.