President Receives First Copy of Coffee Table Book “remembering Baba-dr Rajendra Prasad”

The President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee received the first copy of a coffee table book "Remembering Baba – Dr Rajendra Prasad” at a function at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (December 3, 2014). The President received the book from Dr. Karan Singh, MP (Rajya Sabha) who formally released it.

Speaking on this occasion, the President recalled the inspiring saga of Rajen Babu’s life and said it is an occasion to pay our tribute to this noble son of India. He said the book would serve to not just keep his memory alive but also be of value to researchers and historians. The life of Babu Rajendra Prasad is still a subject of great curiosity to this generation as well as the next. Rajen Babu made enormous contribution to not only the freedom struggle but also in drafting of the Constitution. During meetings of the Constituent Assembly, many differences surfaced amongst members on various issues. Rajen Babu handled these issues very ably and without his efforts, it would not have been possible to resolve many of them.

The President said Rajen Babu was a brilliant student and alumni of Calcutta University. He was not just the topper but also received record marks in his exams.As he was born in 1935, he never had a chance to meet Rajen Babu who was already President of the Indian National Congress in 1934-35 and 1939. But, he did know his son, Shri Mritunjaya Prasad when he was elected to the Parliament in 1969. Like his father, Shri Mritunjaya Prasad was a simple man who did not own a car and both of them used to travel by bus to Parliament. The President said Rajen Babu’s simplicity was passed down to the entire family. The President said he continues to use the writing table used by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in his personal study and has decided that it should be moved to the Museum after his term.

The book "Remembering Baba – Dr Rajendra Prasad” has been compiled by the family of Dr Rajendra Prasad and contains accounts by the grand and great grand children of this towering personality. The volume describes Rajen Babu’s roots; his early years; his life at Ziradei in the Siwan district of Bihar where he was born; his years in Delhi, and the time he spent post-retirement.

Earlier in the day, the President, officers and staff paid floral tributes in front of a portrait of Dr. Rajendra Prasad on occasion of his birth anniversary in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

This release issued at 1800 hrs.