File photo of Lal Bahadur Shastri
New Delhi: Today is the birthday of two great men of the country. Apart from Gandhiji, former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri was also born on this day. Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai, UP. Shastri ji was short in height but is remembered for his big decisions and high thoughts. He advocated the interests of the common man throughout his life. Shastri played an important role in India’s freedom struggle and later took over as the third Prime Minister of India after Jawaharlal Nehru.
The slogan given by Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan
Shastri is best remembered for his leadership during the Indo-Pak war of 1965 and his iconic slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan (Victory to the soldier, Jai to the farmer). He was known for the decisions taken against corruption and his humble nature. His simplicity, honesty and patriotism are well known.
Stopped his son’s promotion
When Lal Bahadur Shastri was the Prime Minister, he had stopped the promotion of his own son. Actually, he got information that his son has been promoted unfairly in his job. This angered him and immediately issued an order to withdraw the promotion. It is said that he was very angry with the officer who promoted his son. This decision of Shastri ji is a source of inspiration for other leaders.
Stuck in traffic but did not cause trouble to common people
Once when he was the Home Minister of the country, when he went to Calcutta (now Kolkata) for some government work, he got late to return. There was fear of missing the flight. When he was going to the airport by road, he got stuck in a traffic jam. The Police Commissioner wanted the Escort with siren to be put in front of the convoy so that it could get out of the jam. But Shastri refused to do so and said that doing so would cause trouble to the common people.
Appealed to have one meal at a time
When war broke out with Pakistan in 1965, a food crisis arose in the country. During this time he asked his wife to cook food only once. He asked the family members to eat only one meal and give milk and fruits to the children.
