Lal Bahadur Shastri
Introduction
India was passing through a rough patch in 1965, due to the Pakistan war and. at the same time, the sudden demise of Jawahar LaNehru, who was the first prime minister of India. India was facing tough times when Lal Bahadur Shastri was sworn in as the 2nd prime minister of India and led the country and popularised the slogan ” Jai Jawan” (Jai Kisan’). He recognized the need for self-sustenance and self-reliance are the pillars to build a strong nation.
Early Life and Education
Lb Shastri was born on October 2 1904, to Ramdulari Devi and Sharada Prasad Shrivastava, in Uttar Pradesh. He was against the prevailing caste and dowry systems. In 1925, he completed his graduation from Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi. In his childhood, he acquired good virtues like boldness, love of adventure, patience, self-control, courtesy, and selflessness. In 1928, he was married to Lalitha Devi and had six children.
Political Career
He was inspired by the speeches of Indian freedom leaders and participated in the Indian Nationalist movement. He had a great impact on his life in 1915 by the speech given by MK Gandhi and decided to participate in the Indian freedom struggle. He became the secretary of the local unit of the Congress party and the president of the Allahabad Congress committee in 1930. He actively participated in the salt satyagraha led by Gandhi and was imprisoned by the British Govt. in 1942. After independence, Nehru was invited to join his cabinet as Union Minister for Railways. During his tenure, there was a ghastly train. An accident took place in Tamil Nadu ,where 150 people lost their lives. He was shaken by this incident and, as a result, resigned from his post.
As a prime minister of India,
LB Shastri is mild-mannered and soft-spoken and has tackled many elementary problems like food shortages, unemployment, and poverty. In his regime, he paved the way to tackle acute food shortages by starting a Green Revolution and was also instrumental in promoting the White Revolution. In 1965, the National Dairy Development Board was formed .
Death:
He had suffered 2 heart attacks and died of a third cardiac arrest on January 11, 1966. He was the only incumbent Indian Prime Minister who had died overseas. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award, posthumously in 1966. He wished to be remembered by his work rather than well-rehearsed lectures proclaiming lofty promises.
Biography
- Born: 2,october 1904
- Place of Birth: Mughalsarai, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Parents: Sharada Prasad Shrivastava (Father) and Ramdulari Devi (Mother)
- Wife: Lalita Devi
- Children: Kusum, Hari Krishna, Suman, Anil, Sunil, and Ashok
- Education: Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi
- Political Association: Indian National Congress
- Movement: Indian Independence Movement
- Political Ideology: Nationalist; Liberal; Right-wing
- Religious views: Hinduism
- Death: 11 January 1966
- Memorial: Vijay Ghat, New Delhi
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