The quiet lanes of Ziradei village in Siwan, Bihar, hold within them the fading echoes of history. Ziradei is not just another village — it is the birthplace of Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the first President of independent India and a towering figure in the nation’s freedom struggle. But despite its rich legacy, Ziradei’s reality today is a harsh contrast to its prideful past: narrow roads, waterlogged drains, crumbling schools, and a community yearning for recognition and basic services.
Historical Significance Meets Neglect
Dr. Rajendra Prasad is a name synonymous with integrity, education, and the values that shaped modern India. Yet, the village from which he hailed bears little testament to these ideals. Locals recall with pride the stories of their village’s famous son, but express disappointment at how successive governments and leaders have allowed Ziradei’s development to stagnate.
Since receiving assembly constituency status in 1957, Ziradei has seen 17 elections but remains untouched by consistent policy attention. The seat, which covers Ziradei, Nautan, and Mairwa blocks under the Siwan Lok Sabha constituency, has witnessed victories from a spectrum of parties—Congress, Janata Dal, RJD, JD(U), Swatantra Party, Janata Party, BJP, and CPI(ML). Politically, no single party has managed to transform Ziradei into a true bastion of progress.
Basic Amenities Still a Dream
Much of Ziradei’s infrastructure languishes in neglect. Village roads remain narrow and riddled with potholes, with the primary approach to Dr. Prasad’s house only receiving repairs through limited panchayat funds. Drainage is poor, and waterlogging during the monsoon season creates unhygienic conditions, inconvenience, and health risks. Despite being the home of as many as 10,000 people — with around 2,800 registered voters — the full potential of the village remains stifled by civic shortcomings.
Sanitation, drinking water, and transportation are pressing concerns. Many villagers have migrated in search of employment and better quality of life, as local opportunities are scant and basic amenities underdeveloped. The demand for factories, job opportunities, and robust civic infrastructure is echoed by families hoping to prevent further migration of youth.
Education and Healthcare: Dilapidated Pillars
The promise of education started with institutions named after Dr. Prasad and his family: Rajendra Mahavidyalaya and Rajbanshi Devi Ayurvedic College. But the reality is disappointing; Rajendra Mahavidyalaya today is run by a private group due to government apathy, while the Ayurvedic College languishes with poor facilities and little support. Primary and high schools do exist, and there is a primary health centre, but these institutions lack resources, modern upgrades, and effective management—leaving villagers struggling for both basic and advanced education and health services.
The Question of Recognition and Political Will
For many residents, the absence of proper recognition for Ziradei is as painful as the lack of infrastructure. Calls for stoppages of trains at the Ziradei railway station and naming the station after Dr. Rajendra Prasad have gone unanswered. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officially maintains Dr. Prasad’s ancestral house, but in reality, caretakers rarely visit, outsourcing the task of maintenance to locals on meager salaries.
Political leaders often visit Ziradei during election campaigns, making lofty promises of development and modernization. However, once elections pass, genuine change is elusive. The local population argues that a low concentration of Kayastha voters in the village has led to neglect by MPs and MLAs who favor developments in larger voting blocs. Even those who made it big — IAS and IPS officers from Ziradei — have seldom returned to contribute meaningfully to their birthplace.
Aspirations in the Face of Adversity
Despite its struggles, Ziradei boasts a remarkable legacy of producing leaders and professionals. Locals express hope that, with focused administrative and government support, the village could transform into an important historical and educational hotspot. They advocate for new factories, improved roads, better health and educational facilities, and recognition of Dr. Prasad at the local railway station and public sites.
Community members suggest that leaders and celebrities linked to the village, whether by birth or by legacy, must actively engage in supporting projects to develop Ziradei. People desire not just the honoring of Dr. Rajendra Prasad’s memory, but a living legacy where his birthplace can inspire new generations through true progress, opportunity, and pride.
The Way Forward: Building a Legacy of Development
Ziradei’s experience is emblematic of many Indian villages with historical significance but neglected present conditions. The challenge is to turn symbolic pride into steady, sustainable development. Advocacy groups recommend a multi-pronged approach—investment in public works, hands-on governance, community engagement, and partnerships with private and nonprofit organizations to rejuvenate schooling, healthcare, and industry.
Restoration and celebration of Dr. Prasad’s ancestral house must go beyond minimal ASI caretaking; local culture, heritage tourism, and educational outreach can foster pride and economic activity. Jobs and industrial growth must anchor youth and families, promoting inclusive progress. Above all, government agencies and elected representatives must heed villagers’ calls for dignity, opportunity, and infrastructure.
Rajen Babu’s Birthplace in Siwan
Ziradei, the birthplace of India’s first President, is a reminder that legacy alone cannot build a better future without action and compassion. It is time for policymakers and community leaders to bridge the gap between inherited pride and everyday challenges. Only then will Ziradei’s history inspire meaningful development — so that future generations can walk its streets not just with pride in their heritage, but with hope in their future.