Siwan. The country’s first President and national hero Dr. Rajendra Prasad—the greatest face of the soul, simplicity and morality of Indian democracy. But the surprising thing is that in the same country on which he laid the foundation of his values, his birthplace has today become a living example of government neglect. Dr. Rajendra Prasad was born in Jiradei village of Siwan district, even today it is far away from the light of development.
Under Archeology Department, still in poor condition
The ancestral house of Dr. Rajendra Prasad located at Jiradei is under the Archaeological Department of India, but the ground truth is that this historical heritage is completely neglected. Where once the strategies of the freedom movement were made, today there is silence. As soon as night falls, the entire complex sinks into darkness, as if the system has also turned a blind eye.
In 2010, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced to develop it as a tourist destination, but even after 15 years, this announcement remained limited to government papers only. There was no development, no conservation – only promises.
Witness of great personalities, today himself neglected
The inscriptions in this residence testify that great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Sarojini Naidu and Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan had visited here. The dreams of independent India were woven while sitting on a simple cot kept in the verandah. The country became independent, but this place is still yearning for respect and recognition.
The house where I was born has turned into ruins.
The condition of the house where Rajendra Babu was born is most shameful. The tile roof is falling apart, there are cracks in the walls and maintenance is completely absent. Local people say that once a lamp was lit here, Tulsi Mata was worshipped, Vaishnav traditions were followed. But as soon as this building came under the Archeology Department, the lamp was extinguished and the worship services also stopped. This question has now become necessary to raise whether it is conservation or murder of cultural heritage.
There are employees, not the system.
Rameshwar Singh, manager of the ancestral property, says that on paper five employees are deployed, but the reality is that neither anyone stays at night, nor is there any security arrangement nor is there a visitor register. Politicians and social workers come, make big announcements and go—zero change on the ground.
Tourist spot or example of chaos?
Jiradei has definitely got the status of a tourist destination, but the facilities are negligible. The most serious problem is that of toilets. Tourists coming from far off places, especially women, are forced to face embarrassment due to lack of toilets. Amidst the claims of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, this situation directly exposes the failure of the system.
Deshratna’s land, deprived of education
The irony does not end here. The land which gave the country its first President is the same land which is yearning for higher education today. There is not a single government degree college in the entire block. Girls have to go 10-15 kilometers away to study, as a result most of the girls leave studies after Plus Two.
