Being Prime Minister of India - Lal Bahadur Shastri

3 Lal Bahadur Shastri:-

Tenure: - 9th June 1964 To 11^th January 1966. 1 year 216 Days.

Party: - INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

Family and Political Background: - Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2 October 1904 as Lal Bahadur Shrivastava at the house of his maternal grandparents in Mughalsarai, Varanasi. Inspired by the Mahatma Gandhi's call for students to withdraw from government schools and join the non-cooperation movement, Shastri withdrew from Harish Chadra High School on the very next day and immediately joined the local branch of the Congress Party as a volunteer, actively participating in picketing and anti-government demonstrations.

Recognising the need for the younger volunteers to continue their educations, J B Kripalani and his friend, V.N. Sharma, had founded an informal school to educate the young activists in their nation's heritage. With the support of a wealthy philanthropist and ardent Congress nationalist, Shiv Prasad Gupta, the Kashi Vidyapith was inaugurated by Gandhi in Benares as a national institution of higher education on 10 February 1921. Among the first students of the new institution, Lal Bahadur Shrivastava 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 and he became Lal Bahadur Shastri from Lal Bahadur Shrivastava.

Jawaharlal Nehru died in office on 27 May 1964 and Congress Party President K. Kamaraj insisted Lal Bahadur Shastri as a Prime Minister. On 9 June 1964 Shastri became 2^nd full time Prime Minister of India.

Work Performance:-

Shastri’s height was Short but his Length was Long. He was influenced by Gandhiji, he was loyal follower of Gandhiji and Nehru hence, and He had continued policy of Jawaharlal Nehru.

In his first broadcast as Prime Minister, on 11 June 1964 Lal Bahadur Shastri stated:-

"There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the cross-roads of history and must choose which way to go. But for us there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to right or left. Our way is straight and clear—the building up of a socialist democracy at home with freedom and prosperity for all, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations."

During his short Tenure of just 1 year and 216 days he had made so much notable and ideological things that he will be remember forever in Indian History. Shastri continued Nehru's socialist economic policies with central planning. But he will be remembering for outstanding attachment with people of the country.

1 He will be remembered for the White Revolution. White Revolution was about increasing of the production of Milk and about supplying Milk across the country. He had created the National Dairy Development Board to support Amul Milk co-operative of Anand, Gujarat. AMUL is now well-known Brand of India.

2 During his tenure, situation of shortages for the chronic food arise. It was very tough situation and Lal Bahadur Shastri appealed people to GIVE UP ONE MEAL to distribute save food to the affected populace. He had started the system with his Own family before asking to people to Skip A Meal A Week. Response for his appeal was outstanding. People accepted his appeal by Heart and many part of the country has started as “Shastri Vrat”. Even restaurants and eateries have downed the shutters on Monday Evenings. I remember, my parent has followed this Skipping A Meal system for life-long.

He had motivated the country to maximize the cultivation of food grains by ploughing the lawn himself, at his official residence in New Delhi. Shastri also promoted the Green Revolution to boost India’s food production. Though he was a socialist, Shastri stated that India cannot have a regimented type of economy.

3 Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan

What a Slogan! Even after 50 years, it used to boost our feeling towards country. India sill inspiring with this slogan which Shastri had given during war with Pakistan on 19 October 1965. Shastri gave this slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ at Urwa-Allahabad that became a national slogan mirroring that time situation.

This short heighted Prime Minister had and has a long impact on our public life. He was one of the great Indians who have left an indelible impression on our life. His contributions to public life and for common man were incomparable.

Lal Bahadur Shastri has built his personality as he was among the common Indian, as one of their own, one who shared their ideals, hopes and aspirations. His achievements were looked upon not as the isolated achievements of an individual but of our society collectively. Under his leadership India faced and repulsed the Pakistani war of 1965. It is not only a matter of pride for the Indian Army but also for every citizen of the country. He will be remembered for all times to come for his large heartedness and public service.

Upon his death on 11 January 1966 (aged 61) at
Tashkent, Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union (now in Uzbekistan), 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.

Miss:-

In very short period with full of action, only one point is missing on corruption. If he had appealed for corruption free country, result might be there.