Former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri Was A Tall Political Figure With No Blemishes; Never To Get Swayed By Occasional Humdrum Purr In Indian Political Circles

Former Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri Was A Tall Political Figure With No Blemishes; Never To Get Swayed By Occasional Humdrum Purr In Indian Political Circles

Flipping through pages of Kadambini  (Hindi Publication)'s January 2016 Edition the stories on former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri were revelation of sorts. Born on October 2, 1904 he lived till January 10, 1966. His early education was in Mughalsarai and later in Kashi, both places in Uttar Pradesh. The Non-cooperation Movement launched in India in 1920 against British Rule he took active part in 1921 and was arrested. In 1929 he became Secretary of Allahabad District Congress Committee. (Congress Is The Oldest Political Party In India). On December 19, 1930 he participated in Salt March and was arrested. In 1936 he became President of Allahabad District Congress Committee. He participated in 1942 in Quit India Movement. India became Independent in 1947.  In 1948 he became Home Minister in Uttar Pradesh. 

Lal Bahadur Shastri's Innings At Centre

His innings at Centre began from 1952 when from 1952 to 1963 he held different portfolios including Railways, Transport, Communications, Commerce, Industry and Home. In 1956 he quit as Railway Minister following a rail accident. In 1957 he was reappointed as Minister. Under K Kamraj Plan (K Kamraj was a veteran Congress Leader hailing from South India (Madras) enjoying the confidence of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru) all senior ministers were told to quit Cabinet and dedicate themselves to strengthening the Congress Party and as a result he too quit the Cabinet.  All through these varied innings he was seen as a man of simple means and simple deed. Following the departure of Jawaharlal Nehru it was the task of K Kamraj to choose Nehru's successor. None other than Lal Bahadur Shastri was the choice as he was a revered figure and a leader with no blemishes. A leader who rose from the ranks, a leader on whom unanimity was reached with seal of approval from Congress Working Committee (CWC) and later Congress Parliamentary Board. His appointment as Prime Minister in June 1964 was blessings in many ways. The way he handled '65 war with Pakistan and India coming triumph was a script of success. During his reign India went through grain crisis and his solemn call in 1965 to Indians to skip meals one time every Monday helped to raise buffer stock of grain and this was a long lasting solution.

 Clarion Call Of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan

A leader who gave the clarion call of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan underscoring in letter and spirit the valiant role of soldiers at borders and valiant role of farmers in feeding the entire nation. His capacity to hold different portfolios at Centre came handy when he distinguished himself as a leader with foresight and following when he carried the duties of Prime Minister. The peace pact reached in Tashkent on January 10, 1966 was a major breakthrough but his innings in politics were cut short by his passing away soon after that. He was no less than father figure in Indian Polity and generations who haven't heard about him should read the contribution by him to Indian Polity and get enlightened. He was a no-nonsense figure and man of immense talent and impeccable integrity the likes of which are hard to trace. Besides Nehru he was a tall political figure in Indian Polity never to get swayed by occasional humdrum purr in political circles. 

Yedu Kondalavada Venkatramana Govinda Govinda.