"I have no doubt in my mind that he who is a devotee of God, who is brave and who is a servant of the nation can become the first President of India so wrote Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, in 1947. The description could not have applied more fittingly and more faithfully to any other person than the man who was elected to that august office in 1950. If it can be said that the life of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, crowded as it is with momentous events, is inextricably interwoven with the history of modern India, it can be even more truly said that the period of his Presidentship has been one of outstanding achievement and progress for the country.
Born on December 3, 1884 at village Zeradai in Bihar, Rajendra Prasad, popularly known as Rajen Babu, was educated in Bihar and Bengal. Throughout his educational career, he showed exceptional brilliance. In 1915, he secured the M.L. degree of the Calcutta University; his professional practice established him as a legal luminary of a high order, first at the Calcutta High Court and later at the Patna High Court.
The Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 was a turning point in his life; it was also the opening chapter of the country's Freedom Struggle. It was during those days that Mahatma Gandhi discovered in Rajen Babu and Brijkisliore Babu a matchless pair whose devotion made it impossible for him to take a single step, without their help. Little wonder, therefore, that Gandhiji chose Bihar as the place for launching his first experiment in civil disobedience, named by him as Satyagraha. With the Champaran Satyagraha began for Rajen Babu a period of long and unbroken association with the Father of the Nation, for whom he showed matchless and unsurpassed loyalty. He found in Gandhiji— the beau-ideal of meekness of spirit and passion for humanitarian service , of which he himself is such an outstanding example.
Rajendra Prasad took an active part in the Non-Cooperation Movement through which he saw that the people of India had rediscovered their soul". As a result of the national renaissance which swept the country, a number of educational institutions were established. One of these was the Bihar Vidyapith which was inaugurated by Gandhiji in Patna and Rajen Babu became, first, its Registrar, and later, its Vice-Chancellor. About this time was also founded the Sadaquat Ashram which was to become his permanent residence during 1924-46.
Rajen Babu was imprisoned several times during the Freedom Movement. In jail, his health broke down and he hospital when Government found it necessary to release him on January 17, 1934, two days after the disastrous Bihar earthquake. This calamity brought to light further the many qualities of the man who had always been associated with Bihar “as its most devoted public servant. Rajen Babu as Chairman of the Central Relief Committee worked ceaselessly for the relief of distress and the reconstruction of devastated Bihar.
Rajendra Prasad was elected President of the Indian National Congress in October, 1934. He was subsequently re-elected in 1939 and again in November, 1947. His affability and gentleness won him universal love and esteem. During the troubled days of 1946 and 1947 when there was a great deal of communal unrest, he worked hard in his home province to restore it to the position of grace from which it had fallen. On the 2nd September, 1946, Rajendra Prasad joined the Interim Government as Minister of Food & Agriculture. He was elected President of the Constituent Assembly on the 11th December, 1946 and he discharged that responsibility with great tact and ability. In harmonising conflicting interests and in bringing unanimity of view to bear on discussions, he made a highly fruitful contribution to the labours of that august body. In 1950, when the country became a Republic, the mantle of Presidentship rightly fell on his shoulders. For a decade and more he has held this high office, with dignity and humility, wisdom and humanity which have distinguished him always as a man among men.
To his many qualities of head and heart which ensure him a permanent place in the hearts of his people must he added his gift as a writer. Among his hooks, which make an outstanding contribution to the understanding of Indian History in the first half of this century, are At the Feet of the Mahatma”, India Divided , ‘‘Mahatma Gandhi and Bihar ’, “Satyagraha in Champaran and “Atma-katha (an autobiography).
There can be no greater tribute to the First President of the Indian Republic than that he has always been the First Servant of the Nation.
In issuing a special commemorative stamp in honour of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the Posts and Telegraphs Department of the Government of India consider themselves privileged in being able to offer a token of the country’s immense gratitude to this illustrious son of India.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India