Lal Bahadur Shastri Biography

Shastri was born on October 2, 1904, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, British India, to Sharada Prasad and Ramdulari Devi. His father was a clerk in the Revenue Office of Allahabad. He died when Shastri was only a year old. He was raised along with his two sisters.

Shastri became part of Indian independence movement in the 1920s, and was driven by the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi. He joined Gandhi’s famous ‘Salt Satyagraha’ in 1930, for which he was sent to the prison for two and a half years.

He was again imprisoned in 1942, for joining Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Quit India Movement’ and instructing freedom fighters from Jawaharlal Nehru’s house. This time, he was imprisoned for four years.

Lal Bahadur Shastri was known for his simplicity and humility. He used to carry his own luggage and insisted on paying his own expenses during official trips.

Despite holding a high political position, Shastri was a vegetarian and preferred simple meals like dal, roti, and vegetables.

Shastri was a prolific writer and used to write poems in his spare time. His writings reflected his deep love for the country and its people.

Lal Bahadur Shastri was a strong advocate for gender equality and empowerment of women. He believed in the importance of education for girls and supported initiatives to improve their access to education.

Shastri was a man of principles and integrity. He was known for his honesty and incorruptibility, setting a high standard for ethical leadership in Indian politics.