Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birthday on Monday, remembering the late leader for his 'Unwavering Commitment to India's Progress'.
In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, Modi said: "Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, devotion to the nation and iconic call of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' still resonates today and inspires generations..."
In a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, Modi said: "Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji on his Jayanti. His simplicity, devotion to the nation and iconic call of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' still resonates today and inspires generations..."
"... his unwavering commitment to India's progress and his leadership during challenging times remain exemplary. May we always work to realise his vision for a strong India," Prime Minister Modi's post added.
Indian Premier Lal Bahadur Shastri
© AP Photo / Uncredited
'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' was a slogan coined by Shastri to highlight the combined power of the soldiers and the farmers of India amidst the 1965 war with Pakistan.
In the morning, Prime Minister Modi and President Droupadi Murmu were among the first to pay floral tributes at Shastri's memorial at Delhi's Vijay Ghat.
Their visit was followed by several other politicians, most notably Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge.
President Murmu, accompanied by Delhi Governor V K Saxena and Education Minister Atishi Marlena from the Aam Aadmi Party, paid a heartfelt tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri at his memorial.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, in his message, praised Shastri for his simplicity and highlighted his charismatic personality that united India under adverse circumstances.
According to him, Shastri hailed from a modest background, motivating both farmers and soldiers, and his victorious leadership in the 1965 war against Pakistan served as a powerful reminder of India's strength.
"His simplicity, honesty, and patriotism are adorable," Amit Shah stated.
The former Congress Chief and Parliamentarian Rahul Gandhi also paid his tribute by visiting the memorial in Delhi.
Lal Bahadur Shastri, the son of Sharada Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi, was born in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh on 2 October 1904. He went on to become the second Prime Minister of India after Jawaharlal Nehru, serving from 1964 to 1966.
Shastri died of a heart attack in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 11 January 1966.