Dr Ram Baran Yadav has made history by becoming the first president of republic Nepal through a closely contested presidential run-off held Monday, thus fulfilling the long cherished dream of many Nepalis of seeing a true Janata ko Choro (son of the people) to assume the responsibility of the coveted post.
Consequently, Dr Yadav has made another history by also becoming the first person outside the royal family to be the head of the state of the new republic, breaking the century old tradition which reserved the coveted title to the eldest son of the Shah Dynasty, who held a demi god status of a incarnation of Lord Bishnu, all of which ended with it eventual demise through a historic proclamation of the Constituent Assembly that declared the country a republic.
But like most person of stature, Dr Yadav, too, had a very humble beginning. Born to a simple farmer family in Magh 22, 2004 B.S in Safai VDC of Dhanusha district in the Terai plains of Nepal, Dr Yadav was the fourth son of Dhan Yadav and Ram Rati Yadav.
He completed his initial education in Dhanusha district and then came to Kathmandu for higher studies. As he was keen on studying medicine, the young Ram Baran Yadav went to Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India, and got admission in Calcutta Medical College from where he received his M.B.B.S degree and became a practicing doctor. Later he acquired M.D degree from Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research in Chandigarh of India in the year 2040 B.S.
A well-known doctor who is very much respected in the medical fraternity, Dr Yadav later became the private physician to late B.P Koirala. This must be noted as an important turning point in his life, as through close association and inspiration from this eminent leader of Nepal, Dr Yadav got actively involved in politics.
Call it a coincidence, but on the day the nation marks the 26th death anniversary of late former prime minister B.P Koirala that Dr Ram Baran Yadav has been elected to the post of the first president of republic Nepal.
Although a doctor by profession, Dr Yadav could never distance himself from active politics despite his busy schedule. This zest for politics was planted young as even during his university days Dr Yadav used to be very active in student politics.
Dr Yadav started getting actively engaged in politics when in 2017 B.S Late king Mahendra dissolved the first democratically elected government of Nepal led by B.P Koirala and seized absolute powers. He then vowed to devote his life to politics and since then he has been at the forefront of every struggle to restore democracy in the country.
After taking the membership of Nepali Congress, Dr Yadav, in recognition for his important contribution in strengthening the organisation, was appointed general secretary of the party and had from the past one year been fulfilling his responsibility of general secretary and important confidante of PM Girija Prasad Koirala.
During the first general election held in 2048 B.S following the restoration of democracy, Dr Yadav ran for the party from Dhanusha district and was elected the member of House of Representative (HoR).
He continued his winning streak in the 2056 B.S general election also and became Minister for Health twice.
In the recently concluded CA election too Dr Yadav was elected as the CA member from Dhanusha constituency 5.
Dr Yadav is respected as a fearless leader in the party circles who is articulate and puts forth what is in his mind without any hesitation.
He is also said to be one who puts national sovereignty and integrity above all party or partisan interests which was pretty apparent from the stance he took against the demand of "One Madhesh State" and right to self-determination raised by Terai based Madhesi parties, despite being a Madhesi himself.
In this way after the abolishment of the institution of monarchy in the country and exactly 52 days after king Gyanendra was declaed null and void by the CA, Nepal has found it first Head of State in Dr Ram Baran Yadav. nepalnews.com July 21 08
