Lal Bahadur Shastri, a tiny, tidy personality served as the 2nd Prime Minister of Independent India unanimously elected after Nehru died in 1964. Lal Bahadur Shastri’s birth anniversary falls on 2nd Oct., the date which coincides with that of Gandhiji.

A brief sketch of this great hero of Mother India is presented here.

          Lal Bahadur Shastri was born in 1904 / 1905 ? at a place in UP. As stated above he shares his birth date with Gandhiji that is October 2nd. His father is Sharad Prasad, a school teacher by profession and Ramdulari Devi his mother. Lal Bahadur Shastri’s father died a very early age. Shastri was barely one and half years old at that time. After his father’s death incident, Lal Bahadur Shastri’s mother Ramdulari Devi moved along with her children to her parent’s place which is situated in Mirzapur. It was here that Lal Bahadur Shastri started his schooling and completed his primary education. After completing his primary education Lal Bahadur Shastri was sent to Banaras to pursue his studies further. There, he joined Harish Chandra Vidya Laya. Here he was deeply influenced by one of his teachers called Nishkameshwar Prasad Mishra who used to tell stories of great leaders like Guru Gobined Singh, Rama Pratap and Chatrapati Shivaji and about how India lost freedom to the British. It is believed that these tales and stories which Lal Bahadur Shastri teacher told later inspired Lal Bahadur Shastri to join the struggle for Indian freedom.

          It was at the time when Lal Bahadur Shastri was studying in Banaras, Gandhiji visited that place and spoke about his non-cooperation movement. Lal Bahadur Shastri showed great interest in the movement and when came the time for boycott, he expressed his solidarity by not appearing for the exams. This decision shocked the family and could not be digested by his uncle and also his beloved teacher Mishraji, because only one year was left for his graduation. There was only one person from the family who supported this decision of his. It was his mother Ramdulari Devi who had complete faith in her son. But, only on a condition that he would complete his studies later. Hence, with the blessings of his mother, he got himself involved in non co-operation movement. Ever since then he was arrested by British police for involving in activities concerned with struggle for India’s Freedom, In other words his total commitment to Gandhiji and Non-cooperation. Movement resulted in many jail terms.

Coming back to his education, he studied Bachelor of Philosophy and Graduated at the Head of his class. He stands tall as an example to students with regard to ‘Work Value Study’. Because, he worked in a khadi shop in the evening while he was studying for graduation. Later, after two years he married Lalita Devi. He was against the dowry system, so he accepted only 5 yrs of khadi cloths for his wedding. After his marriage he moved to Allahabad, where he served as Secretary of the District Congress Committee.

          The couple were blessed with 3 children. But unfortunately they lost one child. He went to jail several times even after marriage. Infact, his first child Kasum was born when he was in jail. At this point it reminds of an incident worth narrating. Once, when Lal Bahadur Shastri was in jail, during the time of struggle for independence, his daughter fell sick. On hearing the news Shastriji requested the jail authorities to grant him parole for 15 days such that he could attend to his daughter’s needs. He was granted 15 days parole. But of what use! Unfortunately, by the time he reached home his sick daughter passed away. So Lal Bahadur Shastri performed the last rites and returned to the jail even before completing his 15 days of parole granted. When the family members reminded him of 15 days parole he said, “that was to attend to my sick daughter. But, when she is no more, there was no reason for me to take leave”. This instance speaks of Lal Bahadur Shastri total commitment to truth. It is a very important message that every Indian must recall and try ones best to put it into practice.

          There are many virtues to his credit which people big and small need to know & learn. He was a selfless leader in the true sprit. He worked for the cause of the people and the country. He never thought of doing any thing for himself. When he resigned as home minister, he had no house of his own. As said he was ‘homeless Home Minister’.

He was a practical socialist.  In this context, it is to be noted that Lal Bahadur Shastri in his early years it self dropped ‘Srivatsava’ after his name which is a caste identity.  He also moved among the harijans and did some social work for their cause.

          Lal Bahadur Shastri was deeply influenced by Gandhi besides then political gurus like Purushottomdas Tamdon, Lala Lajpat Rai.

          Lal Bahadur Shastri was released from jail in 1946. Ever since India gained independence in 1947, Lal Bahadur Shastri worked as Minister holding different portfolios. He served as Minister of police. Lal Bahadur Shastri Worked as general Secretary of Lok Sabha for some time. Later, he was appointed as Minister for Railways and Communications but he resigned owning moral responsibility for a train accident that took place in South India. He returned to the cabinet following the general elections. This time, he was first appointed as Transport Minister and later, as Home Minister. He became Prime Minister on June 9, 1964, following the death of our First Prime Minister Pandit Jawahalal Nehru. It was a time which is said to be very crucial in Indian history. Lal Bahadur Shastri, a man of conviction, faced all the problems with confidence. Chinese aggression and war with Pakistan in 1965 are very notable. He was honoured with Bharat Ratna award posthumously. Our courageous leader, Shastriji died in Tashkent on Jan 4th, 1966 after siging the treaty of friendship with Pakistan.

We cherish and nourish the great deeds of Lal Bahadur Shastri and remember him as our ideal statesman of India.