Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lal Bahadur Shastri, born on 2 October 1904 in Mughalsarai, was a prominent Indian politician and statesman who served as the Prime Minister of India from 1964 to 1966. He was the son of Sharad Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi. Shastri's early education took place at East Central Railway Inter College and Harish Chandra High School, but he left his studies to join the non-cooperation movement, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi.

Throughout his career, Shastri dedicated himself to the upliftment of the Harijans in Muzaffarpur and renounced his caste-derived surname, Srivastava. He became a significant figure in the Indian Independence movement during the 1920s and held various leadership roles within the Indian National Congress (INC). After India gained independence in 1947, he served under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, leading several union ministries.

As Prime Minister, Shastri was instrumental in promoting the White Revolution, which aimed to enhance milk production and supply through initiatives like the Amul milk cooperative and the establishment of the National Dairy Development Board. He also championed the Green Revolution in 1965, significantly increasing food grain production in states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Shastri's leadership was pivotal during the India-Pakistan war of 1965, where his famous slogan, 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,' resonated with the nation. The conflict concluded with the Tashkent Declaration on 10 January 1966, but tragically, Shastri passed away the following day, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and service to the nation.