The world has arrived to a day and age where politicians are becoming less and less associated with the terms honesty, integrity and service. In this era, the name of politics and politicians is seldom taken with respect. But, in 1947, when India won in its battle for freedom, emerged a stellar leader who accentuated the idea of unity in the country. Lal Bahadur Shastri played an essential role in shaping India’s future in external affairs and introduced the celebrated slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ (Salute the soldier, salute the farmer).
Lal Bahadur Shastri joined the Indian independence movement in the 1920s. Deeply captivated and persuaded by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals, Shastri became a loyal follower, first of Gandhi, and then of the first Prime Minister of Independent India Jawaharlal Nehru. Following independence in 1947, he joined the latter’s government and became one of Prime Minister Nehru’s principal, first as Railways Minister (1951–56), and then in a variety of other roles, including Home Minister.
Lal Bahadur Shastri’s selfless service earned him the title ‘The Statesman Who Made No Money’ amongst the people. Born on the same date as Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, here are some of the most amazing and lesser known facts about the former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s life.
- Jail at 17
Lal Bahadur Shastri took active part in the 1920 non-cooperation movement started by Mahatma Gandhi. In fact, he got arrested by the British authority but was let go as he was still a minor of 17 years. He also took part in the Salt March, for which he was jailed for a period of two years
- Real Name
Lal Bahadur Shastri’s original name was Lal Bahadur Srivastava. But in the year 1917 when he was only 12 years old, Shastri decided to he decided to drop his caste-derived surname of “Verma”. Among the first students of a new institution, an informal school centered around ‘nationalist education’, Shastri graduated with a first-class degree in philosophy and ethics from the Vidyapith in 1925. He was given the title Shastri (“scholar”). The title was a bachelor’s degree awarded by the Vidyapith, but it stuck as part of his name.
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- A Man of Conviction
After Independence when Lal Bahadur Shastri was appointed as the Transport Minister, he introduced the provision of female drivers and conductors in public transportation. On his wedding, he accepted a Khadi cloth and spinning wheel as dowry. During his tenure as the Minister of Police, Shastri introduced the rule of spraying jet water to disperse crowd instead of lathi charge.
4. Momentous External Relations
Shastri’s greatest moment came when he led India in the 1965 Indo-Pak War. During his tenure as Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri visited many countries including Russia, Yugoslavia, England, Canada, Nepal, Egypt and Burma. Incidentally, while returning from the Non Alliance Conference in Cairo on the invitation of then President of the Pakistan, Mohammed Ayub Khan to have lunch with him, Shastri made a stop over at Karachi Airport for few hours. Ayub Khan broke from the protocol and personally received him at the Airport and had an informal meeting during October 1964. After the declaration of ceasefire with Pakistan in 1965, Shastri and Ayub Khan attended a summit in Tashkent (former USSR, now in modern Uzbekistan), organized by Alexei Kosygin. On 10 January 1966, Shastri and Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Declaration.
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- Death of Mystery
Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent, on the day after signing the Tashkent Declaration, reportedly due to a heart attack, but many people allege conspiracy behind his mysterious death. He was the first Prime Minister of India to die overseas. He was hailed as a national hero and the Vijay Ghat memorial was established in his memory. Upon his death, Gulzarilal Nanda once again assumed the role of Acting Prime Minister until the Congress Parliamentary Party elected Indira Gandhi over Morarji Desai to officially succeed Shastri.
