Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India, serving from 1950 to 1962. He was a freedom fighter and a key leader of the Indian independence movement.
Born on December 3, 1884 in the village of Zeradei in Bihar, India, Prasad was the son of Mahadev Sahai and Kamleshwari Devi. He received his early education in the village school and later studied at the local high school. He went on to study at the University of Calcutta and later at the University of London, where he received a degree in law.
After completing his education, Prasad returned to India and began practicing law in Bihar. He quickly became involved in the independence movement and was a key member of the Indian National Congress, the political party that led the fight for India's independence.
Prasad was arrested multiple times for his participation in the independence movement and spent a total of nine years in jail. He was released in 1945 and played a key role in the negotiations for India's independence from Britain.
In 1950, after India gained independence, Prasad was elected as the country's first President. He served two terms in this role, working to establish the new democratic government and shaping the policies of the newly independent nation.
Prasad was known for his humility and his dedication to the people of India. He worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the poor and to promote education and literacy in the country. He was also instrumental in establishing the Indian Institute of Technology and the National Institute of Science.
Dr. Rajendra Prasad passed away on February 28, 1963, but his legacy lives on as one of the key figures in India's struggle for independence and its early years as a sovereign nation. He is remembered and revered as a national hero in India and his contributions to the country's development are still celebrated today.