India's first Prez has Rs 1,432 in bank after 43 yrs

Patna, Jun 29: The revelation that Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, had a meagre savings of only about Rs 100 in his personal bank account here when he died 43 years ago, might amaze the present generation.

The former President, who hailed from Bihar,opened a savings bank account-number 3068-in the local Exhibition Road branch of the Punjab National Bank (PNB)about 18 months before his death (on January 28, 1963) and left it in operation till that day.

However, the PNB authorities instead of closing the account following the death of Dr Prasad as per the bank regulation, decided to keep it open and operational till date as a mark of respect to the departed leader.

As a result the total amount now in the same account following accruals of interest had gone up to Rs 1,432 which in the present day standard can very well be considered as 'paltry'.

Speaking to UNI about the VVIP account, the Senior Manager at the branch S C Sinha said as a mark of respect to the country's former first citizen and the recipient of the country's highest award 'Bharat Ratna,' the Bank authorities had decided not to treat Dr Prasad's account as closed. Instead it was allowed to remain open till date,he said.

Interestingly, no member of Dr Prasad's immediate family who also reside in Patna,had ever come forward to claim the meagre amount which remained as it is since the death of the former President, the Bank manager said.

Moreover, Mr Sinha said the Bank was now planning to exhibit the account book containing the signature of Dr Prasad for public viewing.

The public viewing of the pass book and some other papers signed by Dr Prasad in the Bank, was also aimed at creating awareness among the general public, particulatly among the young minds about the simplicity of the great leader,''in total contrast of what we are experiencing these days,'' Mr Sinha emphasised.

UNI