This book is really very good in many ways. In a very strange way, it does give an insight into what was happening in India at the turn of the century. Curiously, it does not shed much light on the main event of the times - the gradual split between the Hindus and the Muslims, I think Rajendra Prasad kept that for his other book, "India Divided"
He does not pass judgement on his colleagues, which is refreshing. He does not glorify himself. Yet, he comes across as a pragmatic balanced, level-heade
This book is really very good in many ways. In a very strange way, it does give an insight into what was happening in India at the turn of the century. Curiously, it does not shed much light on the main event of the times - the gradual split between the Hindus and the Muslims, I think Rajendra Prasad kept that for his other book, "India Divided"
He does not pass judgement on his colleagues, which is refreshing. He does not glorify himself. Yet, he comes across as a pragmatic balanced, level-headed person. He was, I think, not a charismatic leader, and seemed to be content to play second fiddle to Mahatma Gandhi. I think this is probably good, because we cannot all jostle for glory at the very top
He did not seem to have much of a family life, and does not write much about his family, with exception to his brother whom he seemed to hve held in great regards. But, this was one of the sacrifices that people like him made, so that we could all be free.
A very good book to read. But, a book to be read with patience.
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Rajendra Prasad was the first President of the Republic of India. An Indian political leader, lawyer by training, Prasad joined the Indian National Congress during the Indian independence movement and became a major leader from the region of Bihar. A supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, Prasad was imprisoned by British authorities during the Salt Satyagraha of 1931 and the Quit India movement of 1942. Pra
Rajendra Prasad was the first President of the Republic of India. An Indian political leader, lawyer by training, Prasad joined the Indian National Congress during the Indian independence movement and became a major leader from the region of Bihar. A supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, Prasad was imprisoned by British authorities during the Salt Satyagraha of 1931 and the Quit India movement of 1942. Prasad served one term as President of the Indian National Congress from 1934 to 1935. After the 1946 elections, Prasad served as minister of food and agriculture in the central government. Upon independence in 1947, Prasad was elected president of the Constituent Assembly of India, which prepared the Constitution of India and served as its provisional parliament.
When India became a Republic in 1950, Prasad was elected its first President by the Constituent Assembly. Following the general election of 1951, he was elected President by the electoral college of the first Parliament of India and its state legislatures. As President, Prasad established a tradition of non-partisanship and independence for the office-bearer, and retired from Congress party politics. Although a ceremonial head of state, Prasad encouraged the development of education in India and advised the Nehru government on several occasions. In 1957, Prasad was re-elected to the presidency, becoming the only president to have been twice the office
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