Rajen Babu’s birthplace in Siwan awaits basic amenities, development

Siwan: Ziradei, the birthplace of India’s first President, looks like any other forgotten village of Bihar, marked by narrow lanes and waterlogged drains. The village is a saga of how memory fades when it should inspire.The villagers feel proud that their land gave India its first President, a freedom fighter and champion of social justice, but its rich history is not reflected in its development.Ziradei got the status of an assembly constituency in 1957. The seat, under the Siwan Lok Sabha constituency, includes Ziradei, Nautan, and Mairwa blocks. Late strongman Mohammad Shahabuddin became the Ziradei MLA twice, in 1990 and 1995.

Since becoming an assembly constituency, elections have been held 17 times in Ziradei, but the seat has not become a stronghold of any party.The Congress, with five wins, has registered the most victories here — the last one in 1985. Janata Dal, JD(U), and RJD have each won twice, while the Swatantra Party, Janata Party, BJP and CPI (ML) have won once each.In the 2025 assembly polls, Amarjeet Kushwaha, the sitting MLA from CPI(ML), is the main contender against JD(U)’s Bhism Pratap Singh.

The village has educational institutions, including primary and high schools and an inter college. There is also a primary health centre. However, Rajendra Mahavidyalaya is currently being run by a private organisation due to govt apathy, local people said. The Rajbanshi Devi Ayurvedic College, named after Dr Prasad’s wife, is also in poor condition, they added.“The house of Dr Prasad is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which has appointed two caretakers on a salary of around Rs65,000 each.

But they rarely visit. Instead, the caretakers have ‘outsourced’ the job to two villagers on a salary of around Rs5,000,” said a local villager on the condition of anonymity.Ziradei village has about 2,800 voters, though its population is around 10,000. The village roads are narrow and poorly maintained. The drainage system is inadequate, leading to waterlogging during the monsoon.Akshay Lal Sah, mukhiya of Ziradei panchayat, said, “The road leading to the house of Dr Prasad was built around four years ago with the panchayat fund.

The local MP and MLA are not concerned about the development of Ziradei as the population of voters (Kayasthas) is very low here.”He said three to four villagers have become IAS and IPS officers, but all are posted in other states and have not contributed to the village’s development. Those unable to find jobs have migrated. “Factories should be set up in Ziradei to prevent people from migrating,” he added.The villagers are not just fighting for basic amenities but also for recognition of the place. “Leaders come here during elections, promising development, but nothing has changed,” said Pankaj Kumar Singh, a resident of Ziradei and neighbour of Dr Prasad’s ancestral house.“We have been asking for the stoppage of more trains, but nothing has been done. The Ziradei railway station should also be named after Dr Prasad,” said Abhishek Pratap Singh, a local resident.