Lal Bahadur Shastri

Date of Birth: October 2, 1904

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Date of Death: January 11, 1966

Biography

Lal Bahadur Shastri was an Indian statesman who served as the second Prime Minister of India, succeeding Jawaharlal Nehru. Born on October 2, 1904, in Mughalsarai, a small railway town seven miles from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, he was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and became an ardent follower of his principles. He played a critical role in India’s struggle for independence and was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress. Shastri’s tenure as Prime Minister, although short-lived, was marked by significant achievements. He is best remembered for his strong leadership during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 and for promoting the White Revolution, a national campaign to increase the production and supply of milk. His slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” (“Hail the soldier, Hail the farmer”) became immensely popular and symbolized his vision of a self-reliant and strong India. Before becoming the Prime Minister, Shastri held various important positions including that of the Union Minister of Railways and Transport, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Minister of Home Affairs. Known for his simplicity, humility, and integrity, he endeared himself to millions of Indians. Lal Bahadur Shastri passed away on January 11, 1966, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (then part of the Soviet Union), under mysterious circumstances shortly after signing the Tashkent Agreement aimed at restoring peace between India and Pakistan.

5 Interesting Facts about Lal Bahadur Shastri

1. Lal Bahadur Shastri was born as Lal Bahadur Shrivastava but dropped his surname as a mark of his opposition to the caste system.

2. He was the first person to be posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award.

3. Shastri promoted the Green Revolution in India, which aimed at increasing food grain production.

4. He was imprisoned multiple times during the Indian independence movement, spending a total of nine years in jail.

5. Shastri’s tenure as Prime Minister lasted only 19 months, making him one of the shortest-serving Prime Ministers of India.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lal Bahadur Shastri

1. “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.”

2. “We believe in peace and peaceful development, not only for ourselves but for people all over the world.”

3. “The basic idea of governance, as I see it, is to hold the society together so that it can develop and march towards certain goals.”

4. “There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the crossroads of history and must choose which way to go.”

5. “The preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Lal Bahadur Shastri was known for his simplicity and integrity, and he did not amass significant wealth. As Prime Minister, his highest net worth was modest and comparable to that of an average civil servant of his time.

Children

Lal Bahadur Shastri had six children: four sons—Harikrishna Shastri, Anil Shastri, Sunil Shastri, and Ashok Shastri—and two daughters—Kusum Shastri and Suman Shastri.