Do you remember the childhood story of “Nanhe,” the boy who would swim across a river every day just to reach his school? Yes – that little boy grew up to become India’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri. For most of us, the two things we recall about him are that story and his famous slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” But beyond this, do we truly remember his life, his sacrifices, and his contribution to the nation? Sadly, not enough.
Today, 2nd October 2025, while the entire country celebrates the 156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we must also remember that this is the 121st birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji – another great son of India, who was deeply influenced by Gandhiji and his principles.
From a simple family to Prime Minister of India
Shastri Ji was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai (now Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar), Uttar Pradesh, in a humble Kayastha family. His father, Sharada Prasad Srivastava, was a teacher, and his mother, Ramdulari Devi, was a woman of strong values. He lost his father at a very young age but continued his education with determination.
In 1928, he married Lalita Devi. Known for his small frame and soft-spoken nature, Shastri Ji lived by the principle “Simple living, high thinking.”
His political journey
- In 1947, he became the Minister of Police and Transport in Uttar Pradesh, and was the first to appoint women as bus conductors.
- In 1952, he was made the Railway Minister of India, but resigned in 1956 after a tragic train accident in Tamil Nadu that killed over 150 passengers – taking full moral responsibility.
- After Nehru’s death in 1964, Lal Bahadur Shastri became India’s second Prime Minister on 9 June 1964.
His contributions
- White Revolution: Promoted milk production and supported the National Dairy Development Board.
- Green Revolution: Encouraged modern farming to make India self-reliant in food grains.
- 1965 India-Pakistan War: Inspired the nation with his slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, boosting the morale of both soldiers and farmers.
- Food shortage crisis: Appealed to citizens to skip one meal a week to save food. Restaurants and families across India observed “Shastri Vrat” every Monday. He even ploughed the lawn of his own house to set an example.
- Language controversy (1965): During the anti-Hindi protests in Tamil Nadu, he assured people that English would continue as an official language along with Hindi, to maintain unity.
His personality and values
Shastri Ji was known for honesty and simplicity. A popular anecdote says that he gave his wife ₹40 per month for household expenses. When he later found out she could save ₹10, he immediately reduced the allowance by ₹10, saying the extra money was unnecessary. Such was his discipline and integrity.
His mysterious death
On 10 January 1966, Shastri Ji signed the Tashkent Agreement after the war with Pakistan. The very next day, on 11 January 1966, he passed away in Tashkent under mysterious circumstances. While it was officially declared a heart attack, his family and many Indians have always doubted the real cause.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a leader of rare honesty, humility, and courage. His life is a message that one can rise from humble beginnings to the nation’s highest office through dedication and hard work.
As responsible citizens, it is our duty to teach future generations that 2nd October is not only Gandhi Jayanti but also Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti. He too was a true patriot and a man of sacrifice who dedicated his life to India.
“Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” is not just a slogan – it is a way of life gifted to us by Shastri Ji.
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