Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri with a floral tribute at Vijay Ghat in New Delhi on Thursday, marking Shastri’s birth anniversary. Modi arrived with Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta by his side.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Modi praised Shastri as an extraordinary statesman. He highlighted Shastri’s integrity, humility, and determination, saying they strengthened India even in tough times. “Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji was an extraordinary statesman whose integrity, humility and determination strengthened India, including during challenging times. He personified exemplary leadership, strength and decisive action,” Modi wrote.
Modi also remembered Shastri’s famous slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,” which celebrated soldiers and farmers. He noted how it sparked patriotism and still inspires India’s push for self-reliance today. “His clarion call of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan ignited a spirit of patriotism among our people. He continues to motivate us in the endeavour of building a strong and self-reliant India,” the post added.
Born in Uttar Pradesh in 1904, Shastri served as India’s second Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966. He passed away in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on January 11, 1966, at age 61, right after signing the Tashkent Pact to ease tensions with Pakistan. A visionary leader shaped by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas, Shastri connected deeply with ordinary people and guided India toward progress.
Earlier that day, Modi paid a similar tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat for Gandhi Jayanti, Gandhi’s birth anniversary. Union Minister Manohar Lal joined him for the ceremony.
On X, Modi reflected on Gandhi’s courage and commitment to service and compassion. “Gandhi Jayanti is about paying homage to the extraordinary life of beloved Bapu, whose ideals transformed the course of human history. He demonstrated how courage and simplicity could become instruments of great change. He believed in the power of service and compassion as essential means of empowering people. We will keep following his path in our quest to build a Viksit Bharat,” Modi shared.
This year celebrates the 156th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, known as the Father of the Nation for his key role in India’s freedom struggle.
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