Lal Bahadur Shastri’s 57th death anniversary: Honoring India’s real genius
Second Prime Minister of India: Lal Bahadur Shastri The nation commemorates his passing on January 11th. On this day in 1966, he passed away in Tashkent, then part of modern-day Uzbekistan. Shastri was regarded as one of the finest leaders in India’s history as an independent nation and was a man of the people.
Shastri was a politician who had grown up in the old school. He proclaimed, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” He went from being an experienced freedom warrior to a capable head of the biggest democracy in the world.
Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, in the Uttar Pradesh town of Mughalsarai. He hailed from a very lowly family. When Shastri was just one and a half years old, his school teacher father Sharada Prasad Srivastava passed away. Even though it was extremely difficult, Shastri finished his studies.
Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi motivated him to join the liberation movement. Shastri continued to hold major positions in the Congress after India gained its independence and even served in Jawaharlal Nehru’s government. Shastri was chosen to succeed Nehru after his tragic death in 1964. Shastri was a very well-liked leader across the political spectrum because of his honesty and humility.
Shastri led the nation with stability while serving as prime minister amid incredibly trying times. During his administration, India decisively countered Pakistan‘s aggression in 1965, leading to a war between the two neighbours. Even though there was a formal cease-fire at the end of the conflict, India ultimately prevailed against Pakistan.
Shastri had real vision. By leading the Green Revolution, which greatly expanded the production of food grains, he ended the global food crisis.
One day after India and Pakistan signed the Tashkent Agreement, Shastri passed away. He was given the Bharat Ratna posthumously, making him its first recipient.
Indians are still motivated by Shastri decades after his passing.