Thursday, August 8, 2019
Biography of Lal Bahadur Shastri:
Early Life:
Date of Birth: October 2, 1904
Place of Birth: Mughalsarai, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, British India
Full Name: Lal Bahadur Shastri
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| Biography of Lal Bahadur Shastri |
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born into a humble family in Mughalsarai, near Varanasi (now in Uttar Pradesh, India). His parents were Sharada Prasad Shrivastava and Ramdulari Devi.
Education and Early Activism:
Shastriji completed his education from the East Central Railway Inter College in Varanasi. He was deeply influenced by the freedom movement during his college days.
Lal Bahadur Shastri joined the non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in the 1920s. His involvement in social and political issues marked the beginning of his illustrious political career.
Political Career of Lal Bahadur Shastri:
Lal Bahadur Shastri joined the Indian National Congress and became an active participant in the fight against British rule.
He played a vital role in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and faced imprisonment for his participation.
Shastri rose through the political ranks and held various ministerial positions in independent India.
Post-Independence Contributions:
After India gained independence in 1947, Shastri served as the Minister of Police and Transport in the Uttar Pradesh government.
He was appointed as the Minister of Railways in Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet, where he implemented various reforms and improvements.
Leadership During Crises:
Lal Bahadur Shastri became the Prime Minister of India in 1964 after the sudden demise of Jawaharlal Nehru.
One of the defining moments of his tenure was the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Shastri's leadership during this conflict, particularly the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer), became a rallying cry for the nation.
The Tashkent Agreement, signed in 1966 between India and Pakistan, aimed at restoring economic and diplomatic relations after the war.
Death of Lal Bahadur Shastri:
Lal Bahadur Shastri passed away on January 11, 1966, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the day after signing the Tashkent Agreement.
The exact circumstances of his death remain a subject of debate and speculation.
Legacy:
Lal Bahadur Shastri is remembered as a leader of simplicity, integrity, and dedication to public service.
The Shastri Institute in Delhi is named in his honor, and his birthday, October 2, is observed as Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti in India.
Lal Bahadur Shastri's short but impactful tenure as Prime Minister left an indelible mark on India's history, especially during a challenging period of war and post-war diplomacy.