Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti: 10 interesting facts about the former prime minister

One of the most powerful political leaders India ever had, Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of India succeeding Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964. Besides Mahatma Gandhi, October 2 also marks the birth anniversary of Shastri. 

Here are some interesting facts about the man who emphasized the idea of unity in the country.

1. Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, as Lal Bahadur Varma. The title ‘Shastri’ was given to him when he graduated from Kashi Vidyapeeth in Varanasi.
2. Shastri went to jail at the age of 17 for participating in Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement. However, he was let off for being a minor. 
3. He also took part in the Salt March, for which he was jailed for two years.
4. Shastri introduced the provision of female drivers and conductors in public transportation after being appointed as the Minister of Police and Transport in independent India.
5. During his tenure as the Minister of Police, Shastri introduced the rule of spraying jet water to disperse crowd instead of lathi charge
6. Shastri promoted the White Revolution in India to increase milk production.
7. He also promoted the Green Revolution in the country to increase food grain production
8. His slogan ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ became very popular during the India-Pakistan War of 1965.
9. He passed away in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on January 11, 1966, after signing the Tashkent Declaration with the Pakistani president, Muhammad Ayub Khan, to end the 1965 war.
10. Shastri was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1966 after his death.