3 December is the birthday of the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Many stories have been told about his simplicity and not wasting money. When he went to live in Rashtrapati Bhavan, he completely transformed this top building in his own way. He immediately closed 330 rooms of this huge building. What was the reason for that? He stayed in Rashtrapati Bhavan for about 12 years, till then these rooms remained closed. And to a large extent even after that. Then who opened it?
When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, Rajendra Prasad was made the first President of the country. So he did not want to go to the huge building with 340 rooms. He had refused to come in it. He was celebrated for this. Among those who celebrated were Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and many senior Congress leaders. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru himself explained to him why he should go and live in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The name of the building was changed first.
Before Rajendra Prasad came to this building, many Viceroys lived here during the British Raj. Then the country’s first Governor General C Rajagopalachari also stayed here. Rajendra Prasad came to live here reluctantly but as soon as he came, he changed its name. When he shifted to this building, the first thing he did was to change its name. Its name then became Rashtrapati Bhavan, which is still the case.
(courtesy rashtrapati bhavan)
At first he didn’t want to be in it
Spread over 330 acres, this building has four floors. Rajendra Prasad had considered this building and premises as a place of luxury even before and after independence. Now he himself had to go into it. As a symbolic gesture showing his humility, simplicity and connection with India’s freedom struggle, he decided not to live in the Viceroy’s House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan). He wanted to live in a simple house instead of living in a luxurious palace like Rashtrapati Bhavan. There were many reasons for this.
came to live hesitantly
Dr. Rajendra Prasad felt that by staying in Rashtrapati Bhavan, he would be away from the public. He also felt that the maintenance of Rashtrapati Bhavan was very expensive. Therefore, the resources that are being deployed there or the money that is being spent should be utilized elsewhere. When he was told that Rashtrapati Bhavan has its own ceremonial importance, because it is the residence of the person holding the top position of the country, with which the dignity of India is linked. This is also important from security point of view. Then Rajendra Prasad hesitantly went to live in this building on 26 January 1950.
(courtesy rashtrapati bhavan)
10 rooms were opened, only two were used by the President
As soon as he entered Rashtrapati Bhavan, 330 of its rooms were closed. Only 10 rooms were used. He kept two rooms for himself. The remaining eight rooms were kept for foreign guests. He tried to destroy the Englishness of this famous building. As long as he was the President, 330 rooms of Rashtrapati Bhavan remained closed. Only every few months it was dusted.
Rajendra Prasad believed that keeping all the rooms open in such a big building increases unnecessary expenses and complexity. Therefore, he closed many rooms for security and maintenance. This decision was in line with the government savings policy of that time and the habit of simplicity.
According to some historians, it is also said that Rajendra Prasad wanted the use of Rashtrapati Bhavan to be simple and focused on government work, and not in ‘palace-like grandeur’.
The kitchen was washed and cleaned.
He was a strong advocate of vegetarianism. Earlier, non-vegetarian food was prepared regularly in the kitchen here. He banned it. The kitchen was thoroughly washed and purified. Then it started becoming vegetarian. He refused to eat while sitting on the chair table. He used to eat his meals sitting cross-legged on the stool.
Same thing happened during Radhakrishnan’s time also
After Rajendra Prasad, Sarvepalli Dr. Radhakrishnan (1962–1967) became the President, then these rooms remained closed. Even then, Rashtrapati Bhavan’s tradition of simplicity and focus on official work continued. But during his time some more rooms were opened for formal and international functions. At that time the scope of foreign tours and government meetings in India was increasing. But it must be said that most of the 330 rooms still remain closed.
Zakir Hussain also kept the rooms closed
Zakir Hussain became the third President of India (1967–1969). His personality was also simple and humble. Even during his time, the use of rooms was very organized and limited. Not all the rooms in Rashtrapati Bhavan were still in regular use, but those rooms were kept ready for security and staff.
For the first time, most of the rooms of Rashtrapati Bhavan were opened when Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed became the President. These began to be used for full use of the rooms for international guests and government functions. These were further opened in the 70s and 80s. Today all the rooms of Rashtrapati Bhavan are being used.
The work of room keeping and maintenance of Rashtrapati Bhavan is directly carried out under the government structure and security administration. This work is done by the President’s Secretariat. This secretariat handles all the responsibilities of the President’s daily work, government meetings, arrangements for international guests and maintenance of the building. The Secretariat has special officers and staff who monitor the condition of the rooms and the building.
Special staff are deployed in Rashtrapati Bhavan to take care of cleanliness, furniture, curtains, paintings and floors. This work mainly comes under property and building management. In this, apart from the permanent employees, regular cleaning and repair work is done by contractors.
