Lal Bahadur Shastri was an Indian politician and statesman who served as the second Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966.
| Birth | October 2, 1904 |
| birth place | Mughalsarai, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Parents | Sharda Prasad Srivastava (father) and Ramdulari Devi (mother) |
| Wife | Lalita Devi |
| Children | Kusum, Hari Krishna, Suman, Anil, Sunil and Ashok |
| political party | Indian National Congress |
| death | January 11, 1966 |
| Memorial | Vijay Ghat, New Delhi |
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904 in the small town of Mughalsarai in British India. Shastri ji was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai to Sharda Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi.
He attended East Central Railway Inter College and Harish Chandra High School, which he left to join the non-cooperation movement. He worked for the welfare of Harijans in Muzaffarpur and dropped his caste-derived surname “Srivastava”.
He was a devoted follower of Mahatma Gandhi and, inspired by the principles of non-violence and civil disobedience, actively participated in India's fight for independence. He was arrested several times by the British authorities due to his involvement in various protests and movements.
With India's independence in 1947, Shastri transformed from a freedom fighter to a politician. He became a prominent member of the Indian National Congress and held key ministerial positions in the post-independence government. He served as Railway Minister, Home Minister and Foreign Minister.
The turning point in Shastri's political career came in 1964 when he was elected as the Prime Minister of India after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru. His leadership was characterized by his humble and down to earth personality. He advocated economic self-reliance and stressed the need for national unity and self-reliance.
One of the most challenging periods of Shastri's prime ministership was the India-Pakistan war of 1965. His famous slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” (Hail to the soldier, Hail to the farmer) reflected his vision for a strong, united India. This phrase highlighted the importance of both the military and agricultural sectors in the development of the country.
Shastri's commitment to peace was evident when he worked to end the conflict and initiated peace talks with Pakistan. In January 1966, he traveled to Tashkent, then part of the Soviet Union, to sign the Tashkent Agreement with Pakistan President Ayub Khan. Sadly, he died in Tashkent the day after the agreement under circumstances that remain a matter of speculation.
Lal Bahadur Shastri died under mysterious circumstances on January 11, 1966. Lal Bahadur Shastri's legacy endures as a symbol of simplicity, integrity and unwavering dedication to the service of the nation. His brief but influential tenure as Prime Minister of India left an indelible mark on the country's history. Shastri ji remained known for his honesty and humility throughout his life. He was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna. His monument is known as “Vijay Ghat” in Delhi.
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