"Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" (Hail the soldier, Hail the farmer) still roaring vibrantly
Lal Bahadur Shastri sir, the third PM of the Bharat, whose rich legacy of integrity, honesty and humility worth emulating has been responsible for the country's foundation. . He was renowned for his uncorrupt, modest style of leadership, and his actions particularly in times of war showed how determined he was to uphold India's security and sovereignty.
His Leadership skills still resonates :-
Simple living high thinking, he satisfied to this phrase at par extent. Several incidents illustrates how conveniently he made country success on several very tough circumstances like famine, food crisis, war, etc. Beyond simplicity, the valour and courageous personality was Shashti ji, that even world power USA had to surrender. The leadership skills that legend Shashti ji still resonates are :-
1.Treat all humans as equals :- Shastri believed in this principle so much that he dropped his surname, Shrivastava to oppose against the Indian caste system. Every humans are unique and interesting, so treating every individual special is his characteristic. At present scenario, favouritism, the highest stigma would never be in opinion as per Shashti ji.
2. Value of integrity :- at current era, we have forgotten to take the responsibility and learned blame game or making pseudo excuses. One who accounts ownership, is the personality of integrity. When Shastri was the Union Railway Minister a train accident took place near Ariyalur in Tamil Nadu which happened to kill around 150 passengers. Shastri took it to his integrity and felt responsible for the incident. He resigned from his position as a Railway Minister.
3. Empathy towards people :- Shastri is probably one of the best examples of a balance between empathy and control. It was he who suggested using water jets instead of lathi-charge to disperse a crowd. So while he did not wholly obstruct the idea of lathi charge because that was crucial to maintain some discipline, he used a tool that was more understanding and yet gave across the message that it was intended to provide. Tough at mind and soft at heart, was our beloved Shashti ji, as expected from our leaders also.
4. Lead by example :- Leaders must inspire and not just instruct. The best way to inspire teams is to do the given instructions yourself first. At the time of war and country was food deficit. Then before Shastri ji suggested to cut down on meals, he skipped two meals while he suggested others skipped one. He starved his children to know if kids could survive hunger. Such inspiration is evident enough to state that if we want our descendants or sub ordinates to follow our instructions, important is we honestly are following that specific instruction. Leading by example nor by force.
5. Believes in Revolutions :- Lal Bahadur Shastri was also a revolutionary who introduced ideas like the Green revolution, the White revolution and was the first person to appoint women conductors in public transport in India. He was genuinely oriented towards the development and success of nation, and at that times, leaving behind the stereotype thinking, he preferred progress.
6. Simplicity is the best :- Shastri ji never promoted the idea of luxuries because he considered himself a ‘government servant’, He bought a car on loan because his family forced him but apart from that he lived a simple life, staying true to his words.
7. Visionary :- "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan", Shastri ji cited the immense significance of soldier and farmers in building the foundations of strong nation. His visionary approach had been fruitful to the country in achieving the success at a very short span only. The excellent intellectual and prudential skills of Shastri ji helped in strengthening the spine of nation.
8. Resoluteness :- At the 1965 war against Pakistan, the US had warned India that if it did not declare cease fire with Pakistan, the Lyndon Johnson administration would stop export of wheat to India. It was in reaction to this threat Lal Bahadur Shastri made an appeal to the nation to skip meal of one time in a week. Our brave army has attacked Lahore on 6th September 1965 under the leadership of resolute Shastri ji. The stubbornness to defend the nation can be very easily imbibed by our beloved Shashti ji.
9. Outmaneuvred :- Ayub Khan was known to judge leaders by their physical appearance and Lal Bahadur Shastri was thin and short. Ayub Khan was now planning to take Kashmir by force assuming that India was a weak country after Nehru and especially under the leadership of Shastri. To make sure that Pakistan had an upper hand in the planned invasion, Ayub Khan prevailed upon the US President Lyndon Johnson to withdraw the invitation that he had extended to Lal Bahadur Shastri for a visit in 1965. After winning the war against Pakistan, their PM Ayub Khan stated that Shastri was the man who could have brought India, Pakistan together. When our opponents also gets inspired by our traits and attributes, real leadership and legacy sustains.
10. Always be a student :- once a reader turns out to be a leader. Shastri ji was academically so sound since his school days and while holding the PM position also, he emphasized to read. Because ideas and opportunities do reaches to the one who makes books their friends.
History of great leader
On October 2, 1904, Lal Bahadur Shastri was born in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh. As a leader who stood out for the interests of the common person, Shastri played a vital role in the Indian independence movement and succeeded Jawaharlal Nehru as prime minister.
Shastri is best known for leading during the 1965 Indo-Pak War and popularising the slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer), which emphasised the value of both farmers and soldiers to the nation. His premature death in Tashkent in 1966 under strange circumstances is still up for discussion and inquiry.
"We would consider it our moral duty to lend all support to the ending of colonialism and imperialism so that people everywhere are free to mould their destinies."
Lal Bahadur Shastri ji
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