Every year, 2 October is observed as Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti, marking the birth anniversary of India’s second Prime Minister and a symbol of honesty, simplicity, and patriotism. In 2025, the nation commemorates his 121st birth anniversary, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti, as both leaders were born on the same date.
Shastri’s life and leadership continue to inspire India’s ideals of self-reliance, equality, and peace. Tributes are offered at his memorial, Vijay Ghat (New Delhi), and educational institutions organize programs highlighting his legacy.
Early Life and Education
- Born: 2 October 1904, Mughalsarai (now Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar), Uttar Pradesh
- Parents: Sharada Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi
- Education: Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi – received the title “Shastri” (scholar).
- Dropped his surname “Srivastava” to oppose caste-based discrimination.
- Associated with Servants of the People Society, founded by Lala Lajpat Rai.
Role in the Freedom Struggle
- Joined the Non-Cooperation Movement (1921) inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Participated in the Salt Satyagraha (1930) and Quit India Movement (1942) — imprisoned multiple times by British authorities.
- Became General Secretary of the Allahabad District Congress Committee in 1930 and later a member of the United Provinces Legislative Assembly (1937).
Rise in Post-Independence India
- After Independence, served in Uttar Pradesh Government as a cabinet minister.
- Joined the Union Cabinet under Jawaharlal Nehru:
- Minister of Railways and Transport (1952–1956) – resigned after Mahbubnagar rail accident.
- Minister of Commerce and Industry (1957–1961)
- Minister of Home Affairs (1961–1963)
After Nehru’s death, Lal Bahadur Shastri became the 2nd Prime Minister of India on 9 June 1964.
Leadership as Prime Minister (1964–1966)
Despite serving for only 19 months, Shastri’s tenure was defined by decisive governance during internal and external crises.
Agricultural Reforms & Green Revolution
- Faced severe food shortages and heavy grain imports under the U.S. PL-480 scheme.
- Promoted self-sufficiency in food through the Green Revolution (1965).
- Key institutions established under his tenure:
- Food Corporation of India (FCI) – under Food Corporations Act, 1964.
- Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) – for fair MSP to farmers.
- Strengthened the National Agricultural Products Board.
- Supported the use of high-yielding seeds, irrigation expansion, and better farm support mechanisms.
White Revolution
- Promoted milk self-sufficiency through the White Revolution.
- Established the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1965, later led by Dr. Verghese Kurien.
Slogan – “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”
- Coined during 1965 India–Pakistan War, emphasizing:
- “Jai Jawan” – salute to soldiers defending the nation.
- “Jai Kisan” – salute to farmers ensuring food security.
- Symbol of unity and resilience; later expanded to “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan” (by Atal Bihari Vajpayee).
Major Events During His Tenure
India–Pakistan War (1965)
- Triggered by Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar, aiming to infiltrate J&K.
- Followed by Operation Grand Slam (Pakistan’s attack in Chamb sector).
- India retaliated with strong counter-operations; gained strategic advantage.
- The UN Security Council (Resolution 211) called for a ceasefire.
Tashkent Agreement (10 January 1966)
- Signed between Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistan’s President Ayub Khan.
- Mediated by the Soviet Union (led by Alexei Kosygin).
- Key Provisions:
- Both sides to withdraw to pre-war positions (as of 5 August 1965).
- Reestablishment of diplomatic and trade relations.
- Repatriation of prisoners of war.
- Commitment to the UN Charter and Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961).
Administrative and Foreign Policy Achievements
- Established the Prime Minister’s Secretariat (later PMO) as a formal advisory body.
- Acted decisively on corruption cases (e.g., Das Commission Report against Punjab CM Pratap Singh Kairon).
- Signed Sirimavo–Shastri Pact (1964) with Sri Lanka on citizenship rights for Indian-origin Tamils.
- Improved India–Burma (Myanmar) relations after the 1962 coup.
Death and Legacy
- Died: 11 January 1966, in Tashkent (USSR), hours after signing the Tashkent Agreement.
- Cause officially cited as cardiac arrest, though remains debated.
- Awarded Bharat Ratna (posthumously, 1966).
- Memorial: Vijay Ghat, New Delhi.
- His ideals of simplicity, truth, and patriotism remain foundational in India’s political ethos.
Significance of Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti
- Celebrated nationwide to honor his contribution to freedom, governance, and agrarian reform.
- Schools, government bodies, and social organizations conduct awareness programs on honesty, integrity, and self-reliance.
- Coincides with Gandhi Jayanti, reinforcing India’s twin legacies of truth and simplicity.
Key Facts
| Topic | Details |
| Bharat Ratna | India’s highest civilian award, instituted in 1954. |
| Kashi Vidyapeeth (Now Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith) | Established in 1921 in Varanasi by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta. |
| Institutions Established By Sashtri | FCI (1965), CACP (1965), NDDB (1965) |
| Associated Pacts By Shashtri | Sirimavo–Shastri Pact (1964, Sri Lanka) |
| Food Corporation of India (FCI) | Set up in 1965 under the Food Corporations Act, 1964 to ensure food security. |
| Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) | Formed in 1965 to recommend MSP for crops. |
| NDDB Headquarters | Located in Anand, Gujarat – led by Dr. Verghese Kurien (“Father of the White Revolution”). |
| PL-480 (Public Law 480) | U.S. food aid program under Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act, 1954. |
| Vienna Convention (1961) | International treaty defining diplomatic relations between independent nations. |
| Tashkent (now Uzbekistan) | Then part of USSR; site of 1966 Indo-Pak peace accord. |