‘हम रहें न रहें देश मजबूत रहना चाहिए’
Lal Bahadur Shastri became the second Prime Minister to assume command of the country. When Shastri was granted the leadership, the world initially mistrusted him. Shastri's charisma, on the other hand, was acknowledged by the entire world in just one and a half years. On the one hand his powerful slogan from the Red Fort - Jai Jawan Jai Kisan - lifted the spirits of the men battling, while on the other side, his slogan touched the hearts of the country's farmers.
Lal Bahadur is a famous Indian general. Shastri, India's third and permanent second Prime Minister, was born in a poor family in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, on October 2, 1904. Lal Bahadur Srivastava was his real name. Shastri's father, Sharda Prasad Srivastava, was a poor teacher who ascended through the ranks of the Indian government's Revenue Department to become a clerk. Lal Bahadur was educated at Harishchandra High School and Kashi Peeth, where he received the title of 'Shastri' after clearing his post-graduation test. After that, he became a member of the Bharat Sevak Sangh. This is where he began his political career. Following the death of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, the Congress Party passed over the Prime Ministership to him, recognizing his brilliance and commitment.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a Gandhian leader who dedicated his entire life to assisting the underprivileged and living simply. He was an honest and patriotic Prime Minister with a clean image, in addition to being a simple-minded politician.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a key figure in the Indian independence struggle. He played a significant role in practically all of the movements. He was firmly on the path of independence with Gandhiji after receiving a master's degree. He was imprisoned multiple times as a result of his strong participation in the independence movements. Govind Vallabh Pant and Jawaharlal Nehru had the strongest influence on him in politics. Lal Bahadur Shastri was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary of Uttar Pradesh after India's independence, as well as the Chief Minister of Govind Vallabh Pant and the Sentinel and Transport Minister.
"Jai Jawan Jai Kisan"
During his term, Lal Bahadur Shastri selected a woman as a conductor for the first time, and he began using water cannons instead of sticks to keep the audience under control. After that, he became the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee in 1951, under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, and his fame grew from there. He was chosen Prime Minister of India by the Congress administration in 1963 for his clean and fair behavior. On January 26, 1965, Lal Bahadur Shastri issued the motto "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" to motivate the country's military and farmers to work harder and be more loyal, as well as to make the country self-sufficient in all areas of food production.
"If we can place some of our deficiencies in those shortcomings that are there now," Shastri stated from the Red Fort's ramparts, "then the country will get away, a path will be found." The fundamental debate is whether we should increase our country's foodgrain production, and I'm not going to get into that. However, the actions we propose to take, the way we intend to raise the price of farmers' food grains, and the way we intend to buy food grains from farmers without giving them any trouble.
We must fight for peace bravely as we fought in war
He was criticized for failing to address India's economic issues. During his tenure, the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965 began. India had lost the war with China three years prior. Shastriji led the country better than Nehru in this unforeseen war, and Pakistan suffered a humiliating setback. Pakistan had never envisioned anything like this in its wildest dreams. He died in unknown circumstances on the night of January 11, 1966, in Tashkent, after reaching an agreement to terminate the conflict with Pakistani President Ayub Khan. For his simplicity, patriotism, and honesty, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna. Even now, the country remembers him for his decency and simplicity.
Mahatma Gandhi defied the royal salt ordinance by marching on the beach in Dandi in 1930. The flame of rebellion erupted across the country as a result of this symbolic protest. With ferocious zeal, Lal Bahadur Shastri hurled himself into the liberation struggle. He was the leader of multiple insurgent campaigns and spent seven years in British jails. He grew more mature as a result of the heat of the conflict.
I am not as simple as I look
Kashi Vidyapeeth University bestowed the title of 'Shastri' on him in 1926.
When Lal Bahadur Shastri was the minister of Uttar Pradesh, he was the first to employ water jets instead of lathi-charge to disperse crowds.
He coined the phrase "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" and was instrumental in determining India's destiny.
He was also imprisoned for his participation in Gandhiji's independence struggle, but he was released due to his age of 17 years.
He introduced the provision of female drivers and conductors in public transportation following independence as Minister of Transport.
He established the first Anti-Corruption Committee when he was the Home Minister.
On January 10, 1966, he and Pakistani President Muhammad Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Declaration, which put an end to the 1965 war.