Prime Ministers of India

Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lal Bahadur Shastri was India's second PM. Soon after Pt. Nehru passed away, he took to the post in 1964. The Vijay Ghat memorial has been built in his memory.

Early Life and Academics

Lal Bahadur was born in a village in Uttar Pradesh by the name of Mughal Sarai in the year 1904. He lost his father when he was just a year old. Till he was 10, he lived in his grandparent’s house.

After completion of basic education, Shastri decided to go to Varanasi to pursue his higher education.  When Gandhi launched the non-cooperation movement, Lal Bahadur decided to leave school. Even though his mother told him not to, he was adamant.

After the non-cooperation movement came to an end, he enrolled at Kashi Vidya Peeth, Varanasi, for taking up a philosophy course. He finished his course in 1926 and was then honored with the degree of the scholar (Shastri).

Family and Personal Life

Shastri spent a good part of his time with his grandfather who was a simple and humble man. Ramuldari Devi, Bahadur's mother played a big role in shaping her son and her other two daughter's future.

Shastri was very keen on learning about Guru Nanak and spent a good part of his time reading books about him. Even as a minor, Shastri participated in Gandhi’s movement for non-cooperation in the year 1921.

Shastri in 1927 married Lalita Devi. As dowry, he only took khadi and a charkha to set an example to others.

Career

After World War II, Congress launched the concept of Satyagraha for demanding freedom from the Britishers. Shastri was arrested this time around and served one year sentence in jail. In 1942, during the movement called Quit India, Shastri participated actively and was again arrested. In 1945, he was set free.

After Pt. Nehru died, Shastri was elected for the PM post. The country at that point faced many hurdles like food shortage and threats from Pakistan. Shastri was valiant in leading the country. He pushed for the “Green Revolution”. To ensure that both soldiers and the farmers alike mobilized their support for India, “Jai Javan, Jai Kisan” was coined. In 1965, Pakistan lost to India in battlefield and Shastri's leadership gained recognition worldwide.

Honors, Awards and International Recognition

Even though his tenure as the Indian PM was short lived, he did make his mark. Lal Bahadur Shastri was awarded the Bharat Patna posthumously.

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