Lal Bahadur Shastri
Lal Bahadur Shastri
After the death of Jawaharlal Nehru, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri was made the Prime Minister of India. Shastriji was a humble man of very short structure. He proved a very skilled administrator and wise statesman. He had to face many problems. But Indo-Pak war of 1965 was proved the most serious affair. His dynamic leadership and inspiring speeches did miracle.
On the food front also, he was very successful. India faced an acute food shortage during this period but it was efficiently tackled it was by Shastriji. He gave his slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.” He was never selfish. He could get the generous cooperation of all the countrymen.
In the wake of humiliating defeat of Pakistan, some peace efforts were started to solve the issue and restore peace. A treaty of peace and friendship was made between India and Pakistan. The treaty came to be known as Tashkent Agreement. Shastriji was invited to Tashkent to sign the historical treaty. He gladly went there and signed the treaty. But soon after signing Tashkent Agreement he collapsed on account of a massive heart attack and died. He died on January 11, 1966. The whole country was drowned in gloom and grief.
Shastriji’s dead body was flown to India. It was cremated on the banks of river Yamuna. Shastriji rose to the highest political office of the country by his hardwork, honesty and strong character.
Shastriji was born of October 2, 1904 in Uttar Pradesh. He was brought up by his uncle. He got his school education in Varanasi. He took the Shastri degree from Kashi Vidyapeeth. That is why he is known as Shastri. He led a simple life. In his young age, under the influence of Mahatma Gandhi, he jumped into the freedom struggle. He was a member of Municipal Corporation of Allahabad. He became a Minister at the Centre under the Prime Ministership of Pt. Nehru. Finally, he became the Prime Minister.
Shastriji’s death was so sudden and shocking that nation took long time to recover from it. He proved an equally efficient Prime Minister. In his death, India lost an honest leader, a sincere worker. He was as simple as he was great.
