Prasad, Rajendra (1884-1963), was a prominent leader of the nationalist struggle in India. He served as the first president of India from 1950 to 1962.
Prasad met Mohandas Gandhi in 1917. He then worked closely with Gandhi in organizing the nationalist movement. From 1934 to 1936, Prasad served as president of the Indian National Congress. When India gained independence in 1947, he became president of the Constituent Assembly. In 1950, when India’s new constitution came into effect, Prasad was elected the nation’s first president. He held that post until 1962.
Prasad accepted Gandhi’s ideas on ethical and political questions, and was keen to preserve and develop Indian culture. These views sometimes caused differences between him and Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first prime minister.
Prasad was born in northern Bihar on Dec. 3, 1884. He was educated in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and qualified as a lawyer. He died on Feb. 28, 1963.
