Dr. Rajendra Prasad-First President of Independent India

Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of independent India born on December 3, 1884 in the Ziradei village in the Siwan district of Bihar. He played a very influential role in the freedom struggle of India. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was one of the foremost disciples of Mahatma Gandhi. His contribution as a freedom fighter and as a president was truly remarkable. , Dr.Rajendra Prasad was a brilliant student throughout his academic career. He was born to Mahadev Sahay and Kamleshwari Devi. His father was a Sanskrit and Persian language scholar. Dr. Prasad was very attached to his elder brother Mahendra Prasad.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s first brush of education came under the guidance of a Maulavi. He learned Persian, Hindi and arithmetic. Right from his childhood, Dr. Prasad was a bright student. He topped in the matriculation examination and later on joined prestigious Presidency College in Calcutta. There also, he continued his excellent academic performance and completed his M.A and Masters in Law. In the meantime, his brother introduced him to the Swadeshi movement that proved to be a life-altering moment for him.

As he delved deeper into the freedom movements, he came into the contact of Mahatma Gandhi. Thereafter, Dr. Rajendra Prasad had just one dream and that was of seeing an independent India. He devoted himself to the services of the nation and considered Gandhi Ji as his political and spiritual guru. Rajendra Prasad was man of courage, dedication, conviction and utmost sincerity. His name symbolised honesty and modesty. He was an active participant in crucial freedom movements like Non Cooperation Movement, Salt Satyagraha and Champaran Agrarian Agitation. Dr. Rajendra Prasad is still remembered for his legendary contribution in raising funds for earthquake victims in 1934.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected congress president several times. Once the British left the country, he was unanimously elected as the President of the Constituent Assembly that drafted the Constitution. In 1950, he was elected as the first President of the Republic of India. Dr. Rajendra Prasad served the country for twelve years. He relinquished the post in 1962. He was also honoured with the nation’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna. Dr. Prasad breathed his last on February 28, 1963.

Jai Hind!

The importance of Indian Republic Day, January 26th

Introduction to January 26th:

January 26th was celebrated even before the Independence of India from the British rule on August 15, 1947 but in different context, “It was the Lahore Session of the Indian National Congress at midnight of December 31, 1929 - January 1, 1930, that the Tri-Color Flag was unfurled by the nationalists and a pledge taken that every year on January 26, the "Independence Day" would be celebrated and that the people would unceasingly strive for the establishment of a Sovereign Democratic Republic of India”.

India became a Republic and the constitution came into force on January 26, 1950. The Constituent Assembly was organized and appointed a committee with Dr. Baba Saheb. Ambedkar as Chairman to draft the Constitution. India declared herself to be a Sovereign Democratic Republic. The Indian Constitution, the longest in the world, consist 397 articles and 12 schedules, which provides for a single citizenship for the whole of India.

Constitution represents justice, social, economic and political liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. January 26th is celebrated all over the country at national capital, state capitals, municipal corporations, talukas, panchayats and other official agencies. At the level of the people, it is observed in families, housing colonies, schools, colleges and other institutions of every kind.

Celebration at the Capital, New Delhi:

Republic Day is celebrated at New Delhi “with most spectacular events include the march past of the three armed Forces, (air, sea & land) massive parades of police contingents, Home guards and Civil Defense, NCC, school children and cultural troupes folk dances by tribal folk from the different states in picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India.

Further, the streak of jet planes of Indian Air Force, leaving a trial of colored smoke, marks the end of the festival. The trees on both sides of the routes and the lawns become alive with spectators.” And, no other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different people in splendid uniforms as India's Armed Forces. But they are all united in their proven loyalty to the Government and in their proud traditions and legendary gallantry.

Since many years, the Republic Day Parade starts from Rashtrapati Bhavan and winding its way through the heart of the city, ends at the historic Red Fort in Old Delhi.
Republic Day reminds us of the fulfillment of the pledge that was made on the midnight of Independence Day as a “tryst with destiny”.” The act of framing the Constitution puts a spotlight on B.R. Ambedkar whose indefatigable efforts and sharp insights helped the preparation of the document. It endeavors to secure justice, liberty, equality and fraternity and assures the dignity of the individual by conferring fundamental rights upon the citizen. With one stroke, it abolished all distinctions of status, rank, creed, color and sex.”

The President of India at New Delhi takes salute of the contingents of Armed Forces. In the States, the Governors take the salute, and in Taluqas and administrative headquarters on same procedure is adopted.

The celebration mood lasts for one week. It consists of the ground preparations, rehearsals, the main display and at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi, three days later (i.e. 29th January) the massed bands of the Armed Forces "Beat the Retreat" in a majestic manner, a day before Martyrs Day. The notes of ‘Abide with me’, favorite of Mahatma Gandhi is played with final retreat marking the end of Republic day celebrations The mass media, All India Radio, Doordarshan and TV channels are agog with a variety of programmers.

Republic Day message from Dr. Rajendra Prasad - the 1st president of India

"We must re-dedicate ourselves on this day to the peaceful but sure realization of the dream that had inspired the Father of our Nation and the other captains and soldiers of our freedom struggle, the dream of establishing a classless, co-operative, free and happy society in "his country,"

"We must remember that this is more a day of dedications than of rejoicing - dedication to the glorious task of making the peasants and workers the toilers and the thinkers fully free, happy and cultured”.