#TimeLapse #History
"There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the crossroads of history and must choose which way to go. But for us, there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to right or left. Our way is straight and clear—the building up of a secular mixed-economy democracy at home with freedom and prosperity, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with select nations", said Lal Bahadur Shastri in his first broadcast as Prime Minister on June 11, 1964.
And he lived up to his words. Showing exemplary leadership , he helped India navigate through probably its most crisis-ridden period.
From calming the violent anti-Hindi agitation that erupted across the southern states to taking the first steps in resolving India’s biggest food shortage by promoting the Green Revolution (and convincing people to voluntarily give up one meal so that the food saved could be distributed to the affected populace) and the White Revolution (Amul cooperative) — Shastri oversaw several eventful moments in India's history.
However, his crowning moment was delivering probably one of the most iconic slogans of Independent India, ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.’
In a broadcast to the nation in October 1965, Shastri said, “We in India are passing through a difficult period in our history...The fields at home are no less important than fields in forward areas. The men in arms have to be supported by the men on farms.”
That same year, in yet another speech, Shastri iterated and explained the slogan he had raised. He said: “Food self-sufficiency is as important as a strong defence system...The kisan is as much a soldier as the jawan.”
Here's an interesting incident from his life that underlines the incredible honesty of an iconic leader who was austere to a fault.
In 1965, the Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri bought a Fiat car after taking a loan of Rs 5,000 from Punjab National Bank. When his loan was approved early, Shastri told the bank, “The common man should have the same privilege”.
The legend passed away at Tashkent in 1966 before he could repay the loan.
Later, the bank wrote to his widow Lalita Shastri for repayment of the loan. The lady promised to pay it back in instalments from her family pension. And she repaid every rupee of the Rs 5,000.
Today, the fiat car still stands at Shastri's home, reminding us of the era of a different breed of men.
Stay tuned for more such interesting stories from history in our #TimeLapse series!
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