Lal Bahadur Shastri Death Anniversary 2024 – A Tribute to 2nd Prime Minister of India

Lal Bahadur Shastri was one of the most loved and iconic prime ministers of India. He gave the most famous slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”.  He managed the country extensively well when India went to war with Pakistan in 1965.

Unfortunately, he died under mysterious circumstances on 11 January 1966 in Tashkent soon after signing an agreement to end the war with Pakistan’s then Prime Minister Ayub Khan.

Lal Bahadur Shastri’s Death Anniversary 2024 is on Thursday, 11 January 2024. Shastri was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna for his patriotism and simplicity.

On the death anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, people remember this great politician and pay tribute to his amazing leadership style.

Importance of Lal Bahadur Shastri’s Death Anniversary

We observe Lal Lal Bahadur Shastri’s Death Anniversary to honour the decorated life of Shastri ji. He served as the second Prime Minister of India.

On this day, we remember his unconditional love for the country and commitment to living a simple life. He responded brilliantly when Pakistan attacked India. By opening the Lahore front, he surprised Pakistan’s leadership and gave them a crushing defeat.

He stood firm like a rock when our country was going through a tough time. His death anniversary is also a day to take inspiration from the life of Shastri and take a pledge that we will never let his principles and ideology die. 

Life and Achievements of Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lal Bahadur Shastri was born in the Mughalsarai area of Uttar Pradesh in 1904. His father Munshi Sharda Prasad Srivastava was a teacher at a primary school.

He was the youngest of all his siblings and family members used to call him “Nanhe”. After receiving early education from Harishchandra High School, he went on to receive the title of “Shastri” from Kashi Vidyapeeth.

Lal Bahadur’s political journey started when he joined Bharat Sevak Sangh after completing graduation in Sanskrit language. He was a true Gandhian and followed his principles throughout his life.

Shastri participated in many Indian freedom movements including the non-cooperation of 1921, the Dandi march in 1930, and the Quit India movement in 1942. The British government sent him to jail many times due to his participation in freedom movements.

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After independence, when Jawaharlal Nehru became the prime minister, Shastri climbed the stairs and went on to reach key positions in the government. He became the Prime Minister of India after the death of Nehru.

His tenure as a prime minister was full of challenges. The food prices in the country were at an all-time high. Armed forces were demoralised after suffering a defeat from China. However, Shastri with his strong leadership gave a new confidence to the Country.

India successfully thwarted a surprise attack on Kashmir by Pakistan. Showing his love for peace, he agreed to sign a peace agreement with Pakistan in Tushkan, Soviet Union.   

Activities and ways to pay tribute 

Here are some ways by which you can honour Lal Bahadur Shastri on his death anniversary.

• Pay floral tribute – Visit a Lal Bahadur Shastri’s memorial or statue and show your gratitude by offering flowers.
• Organise speeches and debates – You can organise an event in your locality and let everyone share their thoughts about Shastri.
• Watch a documentary – Watch a documentary on the life of Lal Bahadur Shastri. I personally recommend you watch “Dharti Ka Lal”, a documentary by Doordarshan on the journey of Shastri.
• Educate Children – Let your children know about the life and principles of Lal Bahadur Shastri. You should also encourage them to live a life of simplicity.
• Support Farmers – Shastri Ji always respected and supported farmers. It will be a great tribute to him if you do something for local farmers on his death anniversary. 

Death under mysterious circumstances

The death of Lal Bahadur Shastri has been a topic of debate among Indians. He died shortly after signing the historic Tashkent Declaration in 1966. The aim of this declaration was to resolve the Indo-Pak conflict.

Numerous questions and theories were raised about how a healthy person like Shastri could die after facing a sudden heart attack. Some researchers also suspected foul play of possible poisoning or other covert actions. Unfortunately, the exact cause of Lal Bahadur Shastri’s death remains unresolved.

Shastri’s Ideals in Today’s India

The legacy of Lal Bahadur Shastri has left a lasting impact on the minds of Indians. Many bus stations, house complexes, stadiums, railway stations, etc are named after him even today. 

His most famous slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” is often used by politicians during their speeches. He is still considered the benchmark of honesty for all politicians. Overall, his ideals serve as guiding lights that are taking us toward a better India.

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