“Discipline and United action are the real source of strength for the nation.”

– Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti comes every year on October 2nd. His birthday coincides with the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Celebrations happen all around the country, remembering the patriots and their participation in the Indian Freedom Movement. This day is also known as Peace Day. The pictures and statutes of Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma Gandhi are decorated and garlanded with flowers.

Farmers celebrate the day with a lot of zeal because of the deep involvement of Lal Bahadur Shastri in affairs concerning their lives and development. The former prime minister’s memorial is in Vijay Ghat, and prayer services happen on his birthday. In schools, the distribution of books based on his life takes place. Debates and discussions also take place in colleges. Homage is also given to the leader by the students of schools and colleges, who dress up and sing songs of patriotism.

About Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904. He was the second Prime Minister of India. He is the man responsible for bringing revolution in the Indian agriculture industry. He was a staunch follower of Gandhi and Nehru, and his famous slogan was ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.’ The white revolution took place under the aegis of Shastri Ji. He was a part of the Salt Movement started by Mahatma Gandhi.

He made the most notable contribution in the 22-day Indo-Pak War where he led the nation to victory with his forthrightness and bravery. He was also the first to step down as the Minister of Railways because he felt responsible for a rail accident. His nickname is ‘Nanhe’. He received the Bharat Ratna posthumously. He had gained a reputation as a skilful mediator after his appointment to the post of minister of home affairs in 1961.

The National Dairy Development Board came into being in 1965 during his tenure as the prime minister. After the Indo-Pak war, Shastri and Ayub Khan signed the Tashkent Treaty. Shastri suffered a cardiac arrest on 11 January 1966, a day after signing the Tashkent Treaty.

Moreover, the credit for appointing women conductors in transportation facilities goes to Lal Bahadur Shastri. He achieved this feat when he was the transportation minister.

Places Dedicated To Lal Bahadur Shastri

Samadhi of Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat
The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Mussoorie (Uttarakhand)
The Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, Delhi
The Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Memorial, New Delhi
Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam (located in Northern Karnataka)
The Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh
Shastri Bhavans in New Delhi, Lucknow and Chennai

Unknown Facts About Lal Bahadur Shastri

He got the title ‘Shastri’ in Kashi Vidyapeeth after completing his degree in 1925, it was a mark of scholarly success.
Shastri Ji used to cross the Ganga every day with a bag and cloth on his head during his school days.
Shastri Ji was the first to use water jets to disperse a crowd instead of a lathi charge.
During his tenure as the Home Minister, he set up the first committee to tackle corruption.
He was the first posthumous awardee of Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award.
When his son received an undue promotion at work, it irked him so much that he issued an order to reverse the promotion.
He refused to take dowry and took only a few meters of Khadi in honour of his father-in-law.
Shastri Ji did not like being a VVIP in any program and preferred to be a regular man.
Shastri Ji started the third class in railways. It brought immense relief to the weaker sections of the society.

Death of Lal Bahadur Shastri

The second Prime Minister of India died on 11th January 1966 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, just a day after signing the peace treaty for the end of the Indo-Pakistan war. Although the cause of death reported was cardiac arrest, his family claimed he was poisoned. The death of Lal Bahadur Shastri is a mystery, with no official cause of death being announced.

In Conclusion

2nd October is the birth date of this simple man who has devoted his life to his country. He was famous among the farmers and was a man of ethics and values. His slogan, ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ still holds significance in India.