First president Rajendra Prasad's native village has 100% literate voters

Patna, May 5: Ziradei, independent India's first president Rajendra Prasad's native village, in Siwan district has became the first village in Bihar with all literate voters, a senior official said on Wednesday (May 4).

Siwan District Education Officer Vishwanath Prasad Vishwakarma said all the village voters had become literate, that is, they no longer put thumb impressions on documents but sign them, around 10 days ahead of the panchayat elections.

Vishwakarma said a survey was conducted in the village in March to identify both literate and illiterate voters. A list of 293 illiterate voters, including 244 women, was prepared.

"Education department officials, teachers and students of local government schools worked hard to achieve the target of 100 percent literacy," Vishwakarma said.

Villagers said they were happy that not a single voter from Ziradei will put thumb impression during the casting of his or her vote during the panchayat elections on May 14.

Rajendra Prasad's village house is not in a good condition, despite the fact that the Archaeological Survey of India took it over for upkeep.

Rajendra Prasad took over as independent India's first president on January 26, 1950. He remained on the post for 12 years till May 13, 1962. He died in 1963 in Patna and was cremated here.

PTI