Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of India and a much respected politician. Prior to the independence he worked in close association with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru during the independence struggle. He belonged to a very humble family of government officials and was the first politician in his family. From a very early age Shastriji was inspired by Gandhiji and also dropped out of school to take part in the non co-operation movement. He later joined Indian National congress and was also even imprisoned for two and a half year for independence activism. However, this didn’t deter his resolve for India’s independence and he rose to become the second Prime Minister of India. His name is closely associated with the Green Revolution and his role in 1965 Indo-Pak war is applauded even today.
Long and Short Essays on Lal Bahadur Shastri in English
We have provided below short and long essays on Lal Bahadur Shastri in English for your knowledge and information.
The essays have been written based on factual and true information about Lal Bahadur Shastri.
After going through the essays you will know about the early life of Lal Bahadur Shastri; his contribution in the freedom struggle; what was his political motivation; his role in 1965 Indo-Pak war etc. these essays will be extremely helpful for school events where one is asked to give a speech, write an essay or take part in a debate competition.
Short Essay on Lal Bahadur Shastri – Essay 1 (200 words)
Lal Bahadur Shastri is one of the prominent Indian leaders who fought for the independence of our country and inspired several others to join the struggle. Born on 2nd October 1904, he joined the freedom movement during his early twenties.
He was highly impressed by the Gandhian ideologies and decided to tread the same path. He joined hands with Mahatma Gandhi to further various freedom movements. He followed the path of truth and non-violence and fought courageously. Freeing India from the clutches of the British had become his sole aim and he worked dedicatedly to achieve this goal along with Gandhi ji and other freedom fighters. He was jailed quite a few times during the independence struggle and spent a total of nine years in imprisonment. However, this did not deter his spirit and he kept fighting with equal dedication.
He was quite close to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and went on to become the second Prime Minister of the country. His slogan, Jai Jawan Jai Kisan became extremely popular during the Indo-Pak was of 1965. He came up with the slogan to encourage and cheer the soldiers and farmers who toil hard and serve the country day and night. This slogan is popular even today and is used to encourage the farmers as well as soldiers.
Shastri died on 10th January 1966 due to cardiac arrest. However, the cause of his death is often suspected to be murder.
Essay on Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti – Essay 2 (300 words)
Introduction
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2nd October 1904. We all know that 2nd October is Gandhi Jayanti and is celebrated as a national festival. What many of us don’t know is that it is also Lal Bahadur Shastri’s Jayanti as this great Indian patriot and leader was also born on the same date. Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti is also celebrated along with Gandhi Jayanti in different parts of the country.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti
Not only, Gandhiji but Lal Bahadur Shastri also gave his entire heart and soul to the freedom struggle. 2nd October is thus dedicated to both these great leaders. Not only Gandhi Jayanti but Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti is also celebrated on this day. People do not only remember Gandhi ji and his ideologies on this day but also remember Lal Bahadur Shastri for his selfless devotion for the country and his tireless efforts to free it from the tyranny of the British government. This day is celebrated to pay respect and tribute to both these patriots and inspire millions of Indians to follow their path.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti Celebration
Just as Gandhi Jayanti, Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti is also celebrated in various schools, colleges and offices throughout India. While many school children are seen heading to their schools dressed up as Gandhi ji others are seen dressed up as Lal Bahadur Shastri shouting his famous slogan, Jai Jawaan Jai Kisan.
Special quiz contests and other competitions are held on this day where in questions about Lal Bahadur Shastri are asked. Speeches about his heroic deeds and struggle are also delivered. Similarly, offices, residential colonies and malls also organize many events on the occasion.
Conclusion
2nd October is indeed a special day for the Indians. Our country was blessed with two of the most respected and influential leaders on this day. The day certainly calls for double celebration.
Essay on Lal Bahadur Shastri as the Prime Minister of India – Essay 3 (400 words)
Introduction
Lal Bahadur Shastri was one of the most prominent leaders of his times. He fought for the freedom of our country under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi. He followed the Gandhian principals of truth and non-violence and had served many important roles in the Indian political system. He was appreciated for his honesty and dedication towards work.
Lal Bahadur Shastri as the Prime Minister of India
After the unfortunate death of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru, Congress Party Chief, K. Kamaraj suggested Shastri’s name as the next Prime Minister of India. Other party leaders agreed to it and Shastri became the second Prime Minister of the country.
- Shastri Maintained National Peace
Shastri promoted the idea of secularism and aimed for maintaining peace in the country as well as developing cordial relationships with other countries.
Many members from Nehru’s Council of Ministers continued to handle their responsibilities as they did during Nehru’s tenure as Prime Minister. T.T. Krishnamachari, Yashwantrao Chavan and Gulzarilal Nanda were among few of them. Besides, Shastri gave the prominent position of Minister of Information and Broadcasting to Indira Gandhi and appointed certain other new ministers.
During his small tenure as Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966, Shastri Ji worked hard and accomplished tasks for which he is known even today. He handled various situations wisely and calmly.
The Madras anti-Hindu agitation of 1965 was among one of the critical situations the country faced during his time. The Indian government wanted to make Hindi as the national language of the country. This did not go down well with the non-Hindi speaking states such as Madras. Students as well as professionals and other people from different walks of life initiated riots and the situation became tensed. The riots came to an end only after Shastri Ji’s assurance that English would continue to be the official language of the non-Hindi speaking states.
The Indo-Pak war of 1965 also occurred during his tenure and he handled this situation intelligently. The war was called off after 22 days.
- Shastri Ji Worked for Economic Development
Shastri Ji also worked towards the economic development and prosperity of the country. He encouraged the increase in the production of milk. He did so by supporting the Amul Milk Co-operative based in Gujarat and also established the National Dairy Development Board. The Food Corporation of India was also established during his reign as the Prime Minister.
He worked towards improving the economic condition of the farmers.
Conclusion
Shastri Ji has given a lot to our country as a freedom fighter as well as the Prime Minister of our county. He has earned respect and love of the Indians. His slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kishan’ is popular even today.
Essay on Life of Lal Bahadur Shastri – Essay 4 (500 words)
Introduction
Lal Bahadur Shastri led a disciplined life. He was born in a traditional Hindu family in Ramnagar, Varanasi. Though his family had no connection with the freedom movements happening during that time, Shastri felt deeply for the country and decided to join the freedom struggle at an early age.
Lal Bahadur Shastri: Early Life
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2nd October 1904 in a Kayastha Hindu family. His father, Sharada Prasad Srivastava served as a school teacher and was later employed at the Allahabad revenue office as clerk. Unfortunately, Shastri ji was hardly one year old when his father died due to bubonic plague. His mother Ramdulari Devi was a housewife who dedicated her life to serving her husband and children. Shastri had an elder sister, Kailashi Devi and a younger one named, Sundari Devi.
Shastri and his sisters were raised in their maternal grandparents’ house.
Lal Bahadur Shastri: Education
Lal Bahadur Shastri started his education when he turned four years old. He studied in the East Central Railway Inter College in Mughalsarai until the sixth standard. He and his entire family shifted to Varanasi after he completed class six. He took admission in the seventh grade at Harish Chandra High School.
When he was in class tenth, he attended a lecture delivered by Gandhi ji and was deeply impressed by the same. Gandhi ji urged students to withdraw from government schools to become a part of the non-cooperation movement. Inspired by the Gandhian ideologies, Shastri withdrew from Harish Chandra High School immediately. He actively participated in protests and freedom movements and got jailed due to the same. However, he was released soon for being a minor.
The need to educate the young minds was soon felt by the senior leaders and thus Kashi Vidyapith was established. Many students took admission in this school to seek higher education. Shastri attained a degree in philosophy and ethics from this college.
Lal Bahadur Shastri: Freedom Struggle and Professional Life
Shastri followed the Gandhian ideologies and participated in several movements led by Gandhi ji. He took active part in the freedom struggle and was imprisoned several times.
He joined the Servants of the People Society as a life member. The society formed by Lala Lajpat Rai worked for the betterment of the country and its people. He worked under the guidance of Lala Lajpat Rai and Gandhi ji. He was later made the President of the Society.
Lal Bahadur Shastri was also quite close to Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru and stood by him during various protests for freedom. He became a senior member of the Indian National Congress party owing to his devotion for the country and the dedication with which he worked towards its freedom. He became the first Railway Minister of India and was then made the Home Minister. He became the second Prime Minister of India in 1964. However, unfortunately he served the country as Prime Minister only for two years as he died in the year 1966.
Conclusion
Lal Bahadur Shastri was a true patriot. He dedicated his entire life to the service of the country. He was one of the most loved Indian political leaders.
Long Essay on Lal Bahadur Shastri – Essay 5 (600 words)
Introduction
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2nd October 1904 in a Hindu middle class family. Though his family wasn’t even remotely associated with the Indian freedom struggle, Shastri Ji developed keen interest in the freedom movement and felt the urge to do something for his country. He participated in various freedom movements and fought for his country selflessly. He became one of the most prominent Indian leaders of his times. Shastri was not only loved and respected by the general public but also by the ministers. No wonder, he went on to become the second Prime Minister of India.
Lal Bahadur Shastri – Family Life
Shastri was born in a Hindu Kayastha family. His father, Sharada Prasad Srivastava was a school teacher who later attained the job of a clerk at the Allahabad revenue office while his mother, Ramdulari Devi was a house wife. Shastri had two sisters, Kailashi Devi and Sundari Devi. Unfortunately, Shastri’s father died when he was just 1 year old. Along with his mother and sisters, he shifted to his maternal grandfather’s place where he was raised.
He married Lalita Devi in May 1928. Lalita hailed from Mirzapur, U.P. It was an arranged marriage that was fixed by their parents. Together, they were blessed with six children – four sons and two daughters.
Mahatma Gandhi Served as an Inspiration
When Lal Bahadur Shastri was still in school, he attended a meeting held by Mahatma Gandhi and was deeply touched by his ideologies. He was impressed by the way Gandhi ji created a powerful impact on the British without any agitation or violence. This was a major inspiration for him and he began participating in the movements held by Gandhi ji.
The first step he took in this direction was by quitting his school when he was in tenth standard. He did so as Gandhi ji urged students to participate in the non-cooperation movement by opting out of the government schools. Then, there was no stopping. He participated in numerous protests and was even jailed for the same. However, this did not dither his spirit to participate in the freedom struggle.
Thus, Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri did not only share their birth date but also shared the same ideologies.
Lal Bahadur Shastri’s Political Career
Shastri was a respected member of the Congress party and held many positions of prominence during his political career. Shastri became the Minister of Police and Transport of United Province (now Uttar Pradesh) as India attained independence on 15th August 1947.
He served the nation with dedication during his tenure. He handled various critical situations with intelligence and employed new ideas in both the departments. In the year 1951, Shastri Ji became the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee. He served this role efficiently. He went on to become the Union Minister of Railways on 13th May 1952.
After the unfortunate death of Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964, Shastri was made the Prime Minister of India. He was loved as the Prime Minister of the country. He worked for the social and economic development of India. The way he handled the Indo-Pak war situation was commendable.
Shastri Ji died suddenly after signing the Tashkent Pact with Pakistan in 1966. This news raised many eyebrows. It was said that he was poisoned however this wasn’t confirmed as his post mortem wasn’t done.
Conclusion
Shastri was an honest political leader. Shastri completely agreed with the Gandhian ideologies that served as an inspiration for him to join the freedom struggle. He followed Gandhi ji and participated actively in the various freedom movements launched by him. He was also quite close to Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru and together they inspired numerous Indians to join the freedom struggle.
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