Key Highlights
- 121st birth anniversary of India’s second Prime Minister observed in 2025.
- Shastri revered for simplicity, honesty and commitment to equality.
- His slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" encapsulated respect for both soldiers and farmers.
- Leadership during the 1965 war and launch of Green and White Revolutions shaped his short tenure.
Detailed Insights
Born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, Shastri rose from a modest background, prioritising discipline and a sense of public duty. He eschewed the caste‑based surname "Srivastava", signalling his lifelong opposition to social stratification.
Shastri’s early activism included participation in the Non‑Cooperation Movement, the 1930 Salt Satyagraha march and the 1942 Quit India agitation, where he endured imprisonment in the cause of India’s independence. After freedom was won, he served the Congress in policy roles shaping the nascent nation.
Ascending to the premiership on 27 May 1964 following Jawaharlal Nehru’s demise, Shastri faced the 1965 India‑Pakistan war. He trusted his defence forces, allowing them full latitude to repel invasion, thereby consolidating national morale. Parallelly, he accelerated agrarian reforms via the Green Revolution, promoting high‑yield crops that curbed food shortages.
His tenure also launched the White Revolution, a government‑led dairy program that surged milk output and improved rural livelihoods. Known for his austere lifestyle, he personally urged citizens to skip one meal weekly to conserve food, a practice he upheld.
Shastri’s slogan, born amidst wartime and famine, served as a unifying manifesto honouring both the sword and the plough, and continues to inspire national cohesion.
Key Concepts
- "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" – dual homage to armed forces and farmers.
- Green Revolution – widescale adoption of high‑yield varieties and modern agriculture.
- White Revolution – National Dairy Development Board’s initiative to boost milk production.
- Non‑Cooperation Movement – early civil‑disobedience strategy against colonial rule.
- Social Equality – refusal of caste labels and advocacy for fairness.