CM Revanth Reddy pays tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri on birth anniversary
Synopsis
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy paid tribute to former PM and Bharat Ratna Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary, hailing Shastri's 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' vision and calling his life an enduring ideal for the present generation.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy paid tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary on 2 October 2026 .
Shastri, born 2 October 1904 , served as India's second Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966 .
CM Revanth Reddy specifically invoked the slogan 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' as a symbol of Shastri's national vision.
He called Shastri a model of honesty, simplicity, sense of duty, and patriotism .
Shastri was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1966 , India's highest civilian honour.
On the birth anniversary of one of India's most quietly consequential leaders, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy paid solemn tribute to Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, honouring the man whose two-word slogan once united a fractured nation.
The Chief Minister's Office of Telangana posted the tribute on 2 October 2026, marking Shastri's birth anniversary with a message in Telugu. CM Revanth Reddy remembered Shastri as a towering statesman who served the country with selfless dedication — 'nishwarthanga sevalandhinchina mahannetha' (a great leader who served selflessly).
The slogan that still echoes — 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'
At the heart of the tribute was Shastri's immortal call: 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' — 'Hail the soldier, hail the farmer.' CM Revanth Reddy described Shastri as a visionary who elevated the soldier's courage and the farmer's toil as the two foundational pillars of national progress. The slogan, first raised during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, remains one of the most enduring political phrases in independent India's history.
Honesty, simplicity, and a life as a lesson
The Chief Minister also highlighted the personal virtues that defined Shastri's public life — honesty, simplicity, sense of duty, and patriotism. He noted that Shastri's life stands as an ideal for the present generation, a model of leadership built not on authority but on character. Shastri, who was born on 2 October 1904 — the same day as Mahatma Gandhi — served as India's second Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966 and was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1966.
Point of View
Paying homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri on a day shared with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary is both a symbolic and political act — reinforcing the party's claim to the nationalist, pro-farmer legacy of India's post-independence leadership. By centring 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan,' CM Revanth Reddy subtly aligns Telangana's agrarian-welfare agenda with Shastri's enduring populist credential. The tribute also speaks to a broader political trend among state governments of invoking Nehru-era icons as a counterpoint to contemporary political narratives. It is a soft but deliberate staking of ideological ground.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Lal Bahadur Shastri's birth anniversary?
Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on 2 October 1904 , the same day as Mahatma Gandhi. His birth anniversary is observed every year on 2 October.
What does 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' mean?
'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' translates to 'Hail the soldier, hail the farmer.' The slogan was given by former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri to emphasise that India's strength rests on its defence forces and its farming community.
What Bharat Ratna did Lal Bahadur Shastri receive?
Lal Bahadur Shastri was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna , India's highest civilian honour, in 1966 , the same year he passed away.
Who is Telangana's current Chief Minister?
A. Revanth Reddy of the Indian National Congress is the Chief Minister of Telangana.
Why did CM Revanth Reddy pay tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri?
CM Revanth Reddy paid tribute on Shastri's birth anniversary on 2 October 2026 , honouring him as a selfless leader and visionary who championed soldiers and farmers through his iconic 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' slogan.
