Dr. Rajendra Prasad: A Brief Biography

Book excerpt: This brief biography of Dr. Rajendra Prasad; one of the tallest personalities of our time; narrates the fascinating story of the struggles and achievements of an unknown boy from an unknown village who; by dint of his extra-ordinary intelligence; keen intellect; hard work and selfless service rose to join the front rank of our national leaders—the builders of modern India. Beginning with Rajendra Babu’s ancestry; it takes us through his childhood; education; brief lawyer’s career; Champaran Satyagraha with which began his close association with Mahatma Gandhi; and his subsequent involvement in Indian politics. A brief account of the successive phases of the national movement in which he was an active participant carries the story further. The significant role he played in constitution-making in his capacity as the President of the Constituent Assembly; and the guidance he provided to the nation as the first President of the Republic of India; make up the rest of the story; which; finally ends with a description of the brief nine-month period of his post-retirement days spent in his old hermitage Sadaqat Ashram in Patna. A useful handbook on the life and career of an illustrious son and architect of modern India.