- BJP ministers recall the Somnath issue between Pandit Nehru and Dr Prasad; Giriraj Singh attacks Congress’ revenge on Dr Rajendra Prasad Somnath visit
- Organizers appealed to the Government of India to declare the birth anniversary of the first president, Dr Rajendra Prasad as National Knowledge Day
Meerut: India Positive, an NGO, in fond remembrance of Dr Rajendra Prasad’s extraordinary contributions to nation building formally appealed to the government to declare his birth anniversary from next year as the National Knowledge Day or Rashtriya Gyan Divas for the entire nation. At an event organized by the NGO, Giriraj Singh, Minister of Animal Husbandry & Fisheries, pointed out the issue when he said, “Rajendra Babu was Congress President twice and President for two terms but when he went to Somnath temple after being repeatedly asked not to. And probably as a matter of revenge, the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru did not went to attend his last rites.”
The organisers — India Positive — prepared a case explaining the reasons as to why this annual occasion should be declared as Rashtriya Gyan Diwas by the Government of India and presented it to the chief guests and other guests of honor. Union Minister – Law and Justice, Communication and Electronics and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Union Cabinet Minister of HRD Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank were among the dignitaries present on the occasion. Ravi Shankar Prasad also talked about the Somnath issue and said that Dr Prasad always stood firm when issues related to country came across, and recalled, “When Somnath mandir was built again, Nehru asked him not to go for its inauguration but Dr Prasad said that Somnath mandir is centre of India’s Sanatan Dharm culture and he went there.”
Praising Dr Prasad, Dr Pokhriyal said “the new education policy is coming after 33 years and it will be a India-centric policy. The new generation will be read about the tall leaders such as Dr Rajendra Prasad, which will help them establish India as world leader. India’s culture should remain intact with new science, technology and research.”
Ravi Shankar Prasad while speaking about the life of Dr Rajendra Prasad, said, “If he would have been an advocate, he would have been the top advocate of India. Talent, simplicity and dedication should go together and he has established these criteria when being at a high post of being the President of India. Youth should be informed about these qualities.”
