CM Chandrababu Naidu pays tribute on Lal Bahadur Shastri's 122nd birth anniversary
Synopsis
AP CM N. Chandrababu Naidu paid rich tributes to Bharat Ratna Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 122nd birth anniversary, honouring his simplicity, patriotism, and the enduring 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' slogan that continues to inspire India.
Key Takeaways
Chandrababu Naidu paid homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 122nd birth anniversary, October 2, 2026 .
Naidu described Shastri as the embodiment of simplicity, patriotism, and integrity.
The 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' slogan, coined in 1965 , was cited as a timeless source of national inspiration.
Shastri served as India's second Prime Minister from June 1964 to January 1966 and was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna .
Naidu called on citizens to dedicate themselves to national development guided by Shastri's ideals.
On the 122nd birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Lal Bahadur Shastri, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid homage to independent India's second Prime Minister, calling him an enduring symbol of simplicity, patriotism, and honesty.
In a post in Telugu on Friday, October 2, 2026, CM Naidu wrote: 'I pay rich tributes to Lal Bahadur Shastri on the occasion of his 122nd birth anniversary. Shastri is the embodiment of simplicity, a living example of patriotism and integrity. His slogan 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' [Hail the Soldier – Hail the Farmer], which recognised the role of soldiers in national defence and farmers in food security, will continue to inspire the people of this country forever.'
'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan': a slogan born from crisis
Shastri coined the iconic 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' slogan in 1965 during the India–Pakistan war, at a moment when the country simultaneously faced a military challenge on its borders and a severe food shortage at home. The rallying cry was more than rhetoric — it was a call to honour the two pillars holding the nation upright: the soldier and the farmer. More than six decades later, the phrase remains embedded in India's political and cultural vocabulary.
Shastri's legacy of duty under pressure
CM Naidu noted that Shastri's leadership and commitment to duty — prioritising national interest even in times of hardship — stands as an ideal for all. Shastri served as Prime Minister from June 1964 to January 1966, a tenure marked by the 1965 war with Pakistan and the Tashkent Agreement. He passed away in Tashkent the day after signing the agreement, under circumstances that have been debated for decades. He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.
Naidu closed his tribute with a call to action, urging fellow citizens to take inspiration from Shastri's ideals and work with dedication toward the nation's development. October 2 is also the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, making it one of the most significant dates in India's national calendar.
Point of View
But the choice of emphasis matters — invoking 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' specifically signals alignment with agrarian and defence constituencies that remain central to Andhra Pradesh's political landscape. For a CM overseeing a state with a large farming population and a TDP government with governance mandates on rural welfare, the Shastri frame is not merely ceremonial. It subtly reinforces the party's messaging around farmer welfare and infrastructure investment. The tribute also lands on a date shared with Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, amplifying its national resonance.
NationPress
2 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is October 2 significant in India?
October 2 marks the birth anniversaries of two towering figures in Indian history: Mahatma Gandhi (born 1869) and Lal Bahadur Shastri (born 1904). It is observed as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday.
What does 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' mean and who coined it?
'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' translates to 'Hail the Soldier – Hail the Farmer.' It was coined by Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1965 during the India–Pakistan war to honour the twin pillars of national security and food security.
Why was Lal Bahadur Shastri awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Lal Bahadur Shastri was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna , India's highest civilian honour, in recognition of his exceptional leadership as Prime Minister, particularly during the 1965 war with Pakistan .
What did Chandrababu Naidu say about Lal Bahadur Shastri?
CM N. Chandrababu Naidu described Shastri as an embodiment of simplicity, patriotism, and integrity, and said his 'Jai Jawan – Jai Kisan' slogan would continue to inspire Indians. He called on citizens to work with dedication toward national development guided by Shastri's ideals.
How long did Lal Bahadur Shastri serve as Prime Minister of India?
Lal Bahadur Shastri served as India's second Prime Minister from June 1964 to January 1966 , a tenure that included the 1965 India–Pakistan war and the Tashkent Agreement .
