Bharat Ratna Lal Bahadur Shastri: A look at the former PM's legacy

New Delhi: Bharat Ratna Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, is revered and remembered for his leadership and contributions to the country. He served as Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966 and is best known for his role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, during which he famously declared, "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" (Hail the soldier, Hail the farmer).

Achievements

One of Shastri's major achievements was his efforts to improve the lives of farmers and agricultural workers in India. He introduced the Green Revolution, a series of agricultural and economic reforms that led to a significant increase in food production and crop yields, which played a vital role in making India self-sufficient in food production.

Foreign Policy

Shastri also played a key role in India's foreign policy, promoting non-alignment and peace. He worked to strengthen India's ties with other developing countries and was a vocal advocate for disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation.

1965 Indo-Pakistani War

Shastri's leadership during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War was instrumental in India's victory. He mobilised the country's resources and rallied the nation during the war, earning him the respect and admiration of the Indian people.

Shastri was also known for his simplicity, humility and honesty. He had a strong sense of duty and responsibility, and worked tirelessly to serve the people of India.

Lal Bahadur Shastri death

Lal Bahadur Shastri's death anniversary is observed on January 11th every year. He died on this day in 1966, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, just hours after signing the Tashkent Declaration, an agreement between India and Pakistan to end the hostilities of the 1965 war and restore peace.

The cause of his death remains a mystery and has been the subject of much speculation. Some believe he died from a heart attack, while others believe he was poisoned. An official inquiry found no evidence of foul play, but many Indians remain convinced that he was murdered.

His legacy

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his death, Lal Bahadur Shastri is remembered for his leadership during the war and his efforts to improve the lives of India's farmers and agricultural workers.

In honour of his contributions, Shastri was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 1966. He remains an important figure in Indian history and his legacy continues to inspire successive generations of Indians.

In summary, Bharat Ratna Lal Bahadur Shastri played a vital role in India's history and was an influential leader and an advocate for peace and non-alignment. He implemented the green revolution, play a vital role during Indo-Pakistani War in 1965, and was known for his simplicity, humility, honesty and dedication to the people.