Presidents of India - Indian Presidents
NAME: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
BORN: December 3, 1884
DIED: February 28, 1963
PRESIDENCY: January 26, 
Presidents of India - Indian Presidents
NAME: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
BORN: December 3, 1884
DIED: February 28, 1963
PRESIDENCY: January 26, 1950 to May 13, 1962
India?s first President was born in the Saran district of North Bihar. Prasad spent his childhood listening to tales from the Ramayana, and the epic had a profound influence on his life. A brilliant student, he studied in the Presidency College, Calcutta, and topped in Master of Arts and Master of Law at the Calcutta University. He joined the Indian National Congress while practicing Law in Calcutta in 1911. Even though he made his mark as a lawyer, he was deeply influenced by Gandhi, and plunged himself into the freedom struggle. Prasad emerged as the Man Friday of the Indian National Congress during the course of the freedom movement and was called upon to handle important assignments. He twice became the president of the Congress in 1934 and 1939. Prasad emerged as the only choice for presidency after the country became a Republic in 1950. As the President, he influenced and moulded policies to a large extent and set numerous precedents for his successors. When it came to relinquishing office in 1962, after being the First Citizen of India for 12 long years, Prasad did not bat an eyelid, despite persuasions from all quarters. The nation befittingly awarded him with a Bharat Ratna.
NAME: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
BORN: September 5, 1888
DIED: April 17, 1975
PRESIDENCY: May 13, 1962 to May 13, 1967
Best known as a philosopher, statesman, writer, educationist, humanist and administrator, Radhakrishnan was born in a middle class Hindu family in Tirutani in the then Madras State. Despite being orthodox, his parents had a vision for their son and sent him to Christain missionary schools and colleges, such as Lutheran Mission School, Tirupati; Vellore College, Vellore; and Madras Christian College. He took up Philosophy at the graduation level in Madras University and went on to master the subject. It was because of him that Indian philosophy is today accorded respect in the West. Throughout his glorious career, Radhakrishnan held numerous important academic, cultural and political posts, both in India and abroad, such as Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University, Spaulding Professor of Eastern Religion and Ethics, Oxford University, Leader of the Indian Delegation to UNESCO, Ambassador-Extraord inary and Minister-Plenipoten tiary to the U.S.S.R., etc. He was also showered with notable honorary degrees and distinctions that include Knighthood, Fellow of the British Academy, the Order of Merit and the Bharat Ratna. He has written extensively on philosophical, theological, ethical, educational, social and cultural subjects. Twice the Vice-President of India, Radhakrishnan became the President after Dr. Rajendra Prasad. His birthday is celebrated as