Lal Bahadur Shastri, the name itself, reveals its importance to the nation of India. Yes, he is none other than the Second Prime Minister of India after Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. He had a significant contribution in getting our country free from Britishers. His Principles and way of living have a substantial number of followers in India and outside the country.
If you want to know about Lal Bahadur, then you are at the right place. Today this article will discuss everything about his early life, personal life, and professional life. So, please read this article until the end and get to know everything about him.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Biography
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2nd October 1904 at Mughalsarai, a tiny town approximately 7 miles away from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The name of his wife was
Mrs. Lalita Shastri. He belonged to a very middle-class family and was the most loving child of his family. He had a very supportive family who supported Shastriji in every aspect of his life.
He had spent most of his time in Uttar Pradesh. He completed his education in Uttar Pradesh from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith and Harish Chandra Post Graduate College Varanasi (Government college in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh).
| Name | Lal Bahadur Shastri |
| Nickname | Man of Peace, Shastri, Nanhe |
| Profession | Teacher, Activist, Politician |
| Famous for | His Peace nature and love towards the nation |
Physical stats
| Height | 5 feet 2 inches |
| Hair color | Grey |
| Eye color | Black |
Personal life
| Date of birth | 2nd October 1904 |
| Age (At which he died) | 61 |
| Birthplace | Mughalsarai, Varanasi,uttar Pradesh |
| Hometown | Mughalsarai |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| School | Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith |
| College | Harish Chandra Post Graduate College Varanasi |
| Educational qualification | Postgraduate |
| Awards | Bharat Ratna |
| Religion | Hindu |
Family and Relationship
| Marital status | Married |
| Wife | Lalita Shastri |
| Parents:-MotherFather | Ramdulari DeviSharada Prasad Srivastava |
| Siblings | Kailashi Devi and sundari Devi |
| Children | 6 [six] |
| children’s names | Anil Shastri, Sunil Shastri, Hari Krishna Shastri, Ashok Shastri, Suman Shastri, Kusum Shastri |
Lal Bahadur Shastri History
The career of Lal Bahadur Shastri has several ups and downs, but Shastriji was a very determined kind of person and became the 2nd Prime Minister of India. He was a teacher too in his early age of life. He serves the nation as a teacher and as an activist too. At the later phase of his life, he became a politician and significantly contributed to the nation. Shastri was made Minister of Railways and Transport in the First Cabinet of the Republic of India on 13 May 1952. He served as the Minister of Commerce and Industry in 1959 and Minister of Home Affairs in 1961. Shastri laid the foundation of Mangalore Port in 1964 as a minister without a portfolio.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, a key figure in the Indian Independence movement, and India’s second Prime Minister. He succeeded Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, after the latter’s sudden demise. He is remembered for leading India through the Indo-Pakistan War in 1965, relatively new to the high office. He realized the need for self-sustenance and self-reliance in India and raised the slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,’ which he is remembered for even today.
As an activist, he promoted the white revolution – the production of more milk so that each individual should get a proper diet in his/her meal. As the production of milk increases ultimately and slowly, the milk products began to come into the market, and many industries were being set up that produced milk products. Curd is an essential product derived from milk.
Some Unknown Facts about Lal Bahadur Shastri
- Lal Bahadur Shastri was given the title ‘Shastri’ after he completed his graduation at Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi in 1925.
- He gave us the inspirational slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’.
- A Shastri (Hindi: शास्त्री) degree is also awarded to student after degree in old college system of India in other stream than Sanskrit also in the name of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
- Shastri Surname:- It is derived from Sanskrit and means one who is proficient in the Shastras (Ancient Indian Texts).
- There were total 7 children’s of Lal Bahadur Shastri which are mentioned as follows:- Anil Shastri , sunil Shastri, Hari Krishna Shastri, Ashok Shastri, Suman Shastri, kusum Shastri.
Childhood
A visionary politician and excellent orator, Lal Bahadur Shastri was born to Sharada Prasad Shrivastava and Ramdulari Devi on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai Uttar Pradesh. His father worked as a domestic servant at the home of an affluent businessman who lived near their house in village Karwa in Uttar Pradesh. Shashtri attended primary school in Chauri-Chaura and Mughalsarai but dropped out of sight when he was about 12 years old because the British tried to arrest his father for participation in Non-Cooperation Movement.
Later he joined the Saraswati Vidya Mandir Inter College in Mughalsarai and passed his intermediate examination from there. In letters written to his son, Jawaharlal Nehru mentioned Shastriji’s ability to achieve success at a young age.
Life
In 1922 he traveled to Allahabad and worked under the guidance of Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya at the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth. He then went to study in Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, which is one of the oldest institutions of India situated on the bank of river Ganga. After that, he became a member of Servants of the People Society (Lok Sevak Mandal), founded by Lala Lajpat Rai. He also became an active member of the Home Rule League.
In 1923, Shastri started working as a primary teacher in Kashi Vidya Peeth inter-college situated at Godowlia, Varanasi. Initially, he had difficulty speaking Hindi and Maithili languages fluently, but later, he made his mark. He was known for his sheer hard work and dedication. Even after becoming the Prime Minister of India, he used to conduct lessons at school for students.
Achievements
In 1934 Shastri became a member of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC). In 1939 Shastri was sent to prison for one year by the British because he was leading a protest against the British regime. Then again, in 1942, Shastri was arrested and jailed at Naini Central Prison for participating in Quit India Movement.
Lal Bahadur Shastri became Prime Minister of India on 9 June 1964. During his tenure, the country saw the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan, signed in 1960. His term also witnessed the successful war against Pakistan in 1965.
Lal Bahadur Shastri died on 11 January 1966 at Tashkent (now the capital of Uzbekistan). He died after signing a pact called the ‘Tashkent Declaration’ with Pakistan and other countries.
Shastri was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, in 1963 for his achievements as a national leader. In 1965 he was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor. The government of India has built a memorial called Lal Bhadur Shastri Memorial at 1, Motilal Nehru Place in New Delhi.
Political journey or role of Lal Bahadur Shastri [Political Journey]
Political Party – Indian National congress
- 1928 – Lal Bahadur Shastri joined Indian National Congress on the call of Mahatma Gandhi in 1928.
- 1929 – He became Secretary of Allahabad District Congress Committee in 1929.
- 1935 – He was elected as General Secretary in 1935-1936 of UP Provincial Congress Committee and was Elected to UP Legislative Assembly and became the Organizing Secretary, UP Parliamentary Board in 1937.
- 1947 – After that, he became the Parliamentary Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in 1947. On 15 August, he appointed the Minister of Police and Transport under Govind Ballabh Pant’s Chief Ministership during his later phase of life.
- 1951 – Under the Prime- Ministership of Jawaharlal Nehru, he was appointed as the General Secretary of the All-India Congress Committee in 1951, through which he served the nation quite impressively and Became an MLA from Soraon North cum Phulpur West seat by winning the election and on 13th May, became the First Railway Minister of the Republic Of India in 1952 and entered the railway line.
- 1957 – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru again appointed Shastriji in his cabinet as Minister of Transport and Communication in 1957 as he was impressed by the work of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
- 1958 – He was given the charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in 1958 of India and Became Home Minister after the demise of Pt. GB Pant in 1961 and extended his career in politics.
- 1964 – On 9 June 1964 became the Second Prime Minister of India and served till 1966.
Lal Bahadur Shastri’s Famous Quotes
There are some famous quotes of Lal Bahadur Shastri that everyone loves, and these are some quotes that make him unforgettable.
● The preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone.
Lal Bahadur Shastri
● We believe in peace and peaceful development, not only for ourselves but also for people worldwide.
Lal Bahadur Shastri
● True democracy or the swaraj of the masses can never come through untruthful and violent means.
Lal Bahadur Shastri
Death of Lal Bahadur Shastri
| Cause of death | Cardiac arrest |
| Place of death | Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
Frequently Asked Questions on Lal Bahadur Shastri
Who is Lal Bahadur Shastri?
He is famous as the Indian second prime minister of India. He also promotes the White Revolution for Milk, and he supports various movements in India, which makes him one of the crucial prime ministers.
Which is the movie based on Lal Bahadur Shastri?
The Tashkent Files is based on Lal Bahadur Shastri, and you can watch it on Netflix.
What is the mystery of Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death?
After signing the agreement, Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri died in a very mysterious way. The sudden death of Shastriji surprize everyone, and the cause of his death is disputed; according to some sources, the cause of death is cardiac arrest, but his family disagrees.
Who is the wife of Lal Bahadur Shastri?
Lalita Shastri is the wife of Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Lal Bahadur Shastri death in which country?
Shastriji died in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 11th January 1966. He died after signing a peace treaty to the end of the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War.