Today we are celebrating the 115th anniversary of our 2nd Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri. He is well known for his simple living and high thinking. Shastri Ji shares his birthday with Mahatma Gandhi. He was born on 2nd October 1904 in Mughalsarai, Varanasi, in the family of Sharda Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi. Lal Bahadur Shastri left his caste derived title ‘Srivastava’ because he worked for the betterment of ‘Harijans at Muzaffarnagar’.
Along with this, he led a national campaign to increase production and supply of the milk and created the National Dairy Development Board. In addition to this, he introduced the ‘Green Revolution’ in India in 1965 to increase the productivity of the food grains. Lal Bahadur Shastri was one of Gandhi’s followers highly influenced by his thoughts and belief who joined the Independence Movement in the year 1920. He served as Minister of External Affairs (1964), Minister of Home Affairs (1963), Minister of Railway (1951-1956), and joined as Prime Minister of India on 9th August 1964 and served till death on 11 January 1966.
Today we will discuss here a few untold stories of Shastri Ji’s life:
Lal Bahadur Shastri in Childhood
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a very simple and clear-headed man from his childhood. His father died when he was only one year and six months old therefore his financial situation was poverty-stricken. Soon, after his father’s death, his family shifted to his maternal house. Thus, he grew up in poverty but as there was the tradition in Kayastha’s family to get an education and learn Urdu so he learned Urdu from Maulavi Ji.
Once his mother gave him money for a hair cut and he went to the barbershop and asked the barber how much would he charge for a hair cut. Upon this, the barber said 3 paise. Shastri Ji had a deep thought over it and therefore decided to get bald because he has calculated that if he will just take a hair cut then he would have to come again next week and spend 3 paise again. Moreover, he already knew his financial condition so decided to get bald. This shows his simplicity, shrewdness, and maturity from a very young age.
A Great Swimmer
There is one more beautiful story from his childhood. Shastri Ji was a great swimmer because he used to swim in the Ganges to make it to his school. Once he with his friend went to the bank and Shastri Ji was short with money. Upon this, the boat runner said he would still help Shastri to cross the river. However, he refused the offer to take the boat and his friend laughed at him and said ‘as if you will cross the river by swimming’. As he was the man of honor he crossed the river by swimming only and refused the help.
Lal Bahadur Shastri An Emblem Of Simplicity
As we have discussed above that he faced poverty since his childhood but never give up. Even if he was Prime Minister of India he used to wear his old coat by amending it. Once his children urged his that Babuji you are now the Prime Minister if the nation, you should at least take a new coat. However, he denied it. Yet his children would keep insisting to take a new coat. So, he went to the tailor and told him to amend this coat as if it is new.
After amending the coat he wears the same coat again somehow his children found out and confronted and why he did this. He answered with a smile I am a Prime Minister of a poor country whose countrymen are struggling just to earn bread, how can I afford a new cloth in such a situation.
A Wondrous Motivator
Shastri Ji told the world that we can achieve anything in the world if we have confidence and desire. In 1965 when the Indo-Pak war broke out, the country faced a major crisis. At that time, there was a shortage of foodgrains. So, he refused to take his salary and appealed to the country to fast once in a week and he himself with his family started fasting.
His children and grandchildren still follow the same and observe fast every Tuesday. And at the time of the war, he gave the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’. Both saved our country and we were able to conquer.
Lal Bahadur Shastri and His Loan
Shastri Ji did not own a car for so long even if he was Prime Minister. He never used his car which was given by the government in his tenure for personal work. He wished to buy a car because his family members constantly insisted. Upon this, he told his secretary to find out the price of the Fiat car. At that time, Fiat car cost Rs. 12000 but Shastri Ji had only Rs. 7000 in his bank account therefore he applied for a loan to Panjab National Bank of Rs. 5000.
The sanctioned his loan within two hours. At this, Shastri JI summoned the Bank officer who sanctioned his loan and advised him to respond promptly in case of other customers as well after meeting the bank’s requirement.
Sadly, before Shastri Ji could pay the loan, he passed away. Later on, the loan was paid by his wife, Lalita Shastri through her pension.
There are many more interesting and heart-melting stories of Lal Bahadur Shastri. He was a man of honor, integrity, and simplicity. He helped enormously to develop the country in a very short span of his tenure. I believed if he had not left the world so soon, he would have developed the country fairly well. ( his death is a mystery)
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Maze is a keen traveler and food lover. She loves to explore new cities and their culture. Along with food & travel, she has an immense interest in the field of law and finance.
Great leader he was❤️
Naman
Greatest leader our country could ever have!!
Great leader in simple way
Very enlightening!
This is really inspiring! ❤