The virtues such as simplicity, integrity and commitment that we all must learn from Lal Bahadur Shastri
2nd October marks the birthday of the former prime minister of India Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. Every year whenever second October comes, people often remember and celebrate it as Gandhi Jayanti.
There is also the mention of Lal Bahadur Shastri ji’s birthday, it all gets overshadowed the Mahatma Gandhi’s stature. You will find most of the articles in the newspapers and various videos in the internet being written and made upon keeping Mahatma Gandhi at the centre.
Though the contribution of Gandhi ji was undoubtedly unparalleled and nothing should be taken away from the credit he deserves, however, it’s time that we also recall the former prime minister of India Lal Bahudar Shastri, who coined the famous slogan ” Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” (Hail Soldier, Hail Farmer), took over the office of Prime Minister after Nehru’s demise and remained there till cardiac arrest struck him in Tashkand in 1966.
In my childhood days, I distinctly remember to have read and taught some inspirational instances from Lal Bahadur Shastri ji’s life.
First is about the struggle that had to face to go to school crossing the river every day, as there were very few bridges back then. I remember our teacher teaching to the entire class as to how Shastri ji studied despite all the odds and how we are fortunate and privileged enough to have no such barriers to access the education.
Second is about the simplicity and humility of Lal Bahudar Shastri despite him being the Prime Minister of the Country. On one occasion when he was PM, his sons had used his office car to go on a drive. The next day Shastri swiftly deposited money into the government account to pay for the distance travelled car for personal use.
The third is about his resignation from the post of Railway Minister on moral grounds in the aftermath of the derailment of rail that caused the death of more than a hundred people. By giving the resignation, he showed that the moral responsibility and the safety of the citizens are more important than him remaining in the office as a minister.
There are many other instances from the Shastri ji’s life, depicting the great person he was, which prove that in order to become a good and great human being, one doesn’t have to necessarily do the great things, but the smallest of things in the greatest manner. At times, we overlook how our small steps and actions can become the stepping stone for our future and how they mould our life unknowingly.
Therefore, the virtues such as simplicity, integrity, commitment, and responsibility that the people like Shastri ji and Mahatma Gandhi possessed should often be reflected through our small actions. Actions as small as these may not necessarily be remembered in the annals of history. But these will help us grow and evolve as good human beings.
Currently, I am pursuing B.A(H) Political science from Satyawati College, Delhi University.
I like public speaking, writing and reading in my leisure.
