Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, 2 October paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary, honouring the late leader's legacy of simplicity, integrity, and unwavering commitment to India's farmers and soldiers. The day, observed annually as Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti, marks the birth anniversary of India's second Prime Minister.

Modi's Tribute at Vijay Ghat

Prime Minister Modi began the day by offering floral tributes to Shastri at Vijay Ghat in New Delhi, the memorial dedicated to the former Prime Minister. He also shared a video on social media platform X recalling Shastri's pivotal contributions to the country. 'Homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri Ji, whose simplicity and dedication to the nation remain deeply inspiring,' Modi wrote in his post.

In the accompanying video, Modi elaborated on the former Prime Minister's distinctive character: 'From taking the name of Lal Bahadur Shastri, a feeling of immense reverence arises in our minds. His gentle personality fills every citizen with great pride. Lal Bahadur Shastri's speciality was that from the outside, he appeared humble, but from within, he was determined like a rock.'

Recalling the 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' Legacy

Central to Modi's tribute was a recall of Shastri's iconic slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' — a rallying cry that united India's soldiers and farmers at a moment of national crisis. 'Lal Bahadur Shastri came and gave the message of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan. Every farmer stood up,' Modi said. He credited Shastri with achieving remarkable results in just one and a half years in office by uniting soldiers and farmers behind a shared national purpose.

The slogan, coined during the 1965 India-Pakistan War, is widely credited with boosting morale on both the battlefield and in agriculture at a time when India was grappling with food shortages and external threats. It remains one of the most resonant political phrases in modern Indian history.

Leaders Across Parties Join the Remembrance

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi remembered Shastri's 'simplicity, humility and decisive leadership,' saying these qualities 'continue to inspire the nation.' Joshi also highlighted Shastri's 'unwavering commitment to the country and his deep faith in the strength of our farmers and soldiers' as an enduring legacy.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described Shastri as 'a leader of remarkable simplicity who dedicated his life to the service of the nation,' adding that the slogan of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan 'continues to inspire us.'

Who Was Lal Bahadur Shastri

Born Lal Bahadur Shrivastava on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, Shastri shed his caste surname early in life as a conscious rejection of the caste system. The title 'Shastri' — meaning scholar — was conferred on him by Kashi Vidyapeeth in 1925 upon completing his studies. He served as Prime Minister from 1964 until his death in January 1966, navigating one of the most turbulent periods in post-Independence India.

He was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. Notably, his birth anniversary falls on the same date as that of Mahatma Gandhi — 2 October — making the day doubly significant in the national calendar.

Why the Anniversary Resonates Today

In a political climate where agrarian distress and defence readiness remain live issues, Shastri's dual focus on the farmer and the soldier continues to carry contemporary resonance. His frugality — famously skipping meals during the 1965 food crisis to appeal to citizens to do the same — is frequently cited as a benchmark of leadership austerity. The tributes on Friday underline the enduring cross-party reverence for a Prime Minister who served briefly but left a lasting imprint on India's national identity.