L B Shastri, the man behind ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’

/by

L B Shastri, the man behind ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ 

– Article in THE LEGEND, November 2015

October 2 is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti and many rejoice Bapu’s since it is a national holiday. But little do we know that Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday is shared by another very important man and a leader. All of us are aware of the country’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and his birthday but do we remember our second prime minister?

Lal Bahadur Shastri was not only the second prime minister but also the man behind the revolution of the agricultural sector in India. A loyal follower of Gandhi and Nehru, Shastri is known for his slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” during the 22-day Indo-Pak war of 1985, where he led India to victory. 

During the war Shastri said: “If Pakistan has any ideas of annexing any part of our territories by force, she should think afresh. I want to state categorically that force will be met with force and aggression against us will never be allowed to succeed.”

He always pushed for co-existence and said this could be achieved only if two nations wanted it in spite of their differences. Amul Milk Cooperative’s White Revolution, which was aimed to promote and supply milk in the country, took place under his leadership. When there was shortage of food in the country, Shastri was the one who urged people to give up one meal a day so that the food saved could be distributed among those deprived of it. 

Shastri was also a part of the Salt Revolution led by Mahatma Gandhi. Under his tenure, he witnessed the anti-Hindi agitation in 1965. Since the government of India had pushed Hindi to be the national language of India, the non-Hindi speaking states specially Madras was opposed to this. 

Shastri was a loyal follower of Bapu and Jawaharlal Nehru. Shastri then consulted Indira Gandhi who suggested that English would be used as the national language as long as the non-Hindi states wanted this. That is when the riots subsided after Shastri gave them an assurance.

Shastri died in Tashkent at the age of 61, a day after he signed the Tashkent Declaration. Though he died of a heart attack, still there is wide speculation surrounding his death. Many say that he was poisoned but there is no evidence to prove this.

‘JAI JAWAN JAI KISAN’ SPECIAL

/by

‘JAI JAWAN JAI KISAN’ SPECIAL

– Article in THE LEGEND, November 2015

REMEMBERING A PATRIOT

A musical evening paid homage to the nation’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, as family members recalled his principles and ethics

-Pallavi Chattopadhyay

Very few know that at the end of a long tiresome working day, the country’s former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri would turn to his wife Lalita to listen to her bhajans every evening. Among the many bhajans that he thoroughly enjoyed was “Bhole Bhole Rat Te Ho Gayi Main Baanwaria”, one of Lalita’s favourite compositions. Bringing the magic of her songs on stage was their daughter-in-law Meera, at Epicentre in Gurgaon on Saturday evening.

The event titled “A Musical Memorial Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri”, hosted by Lorraine Music Academy and LAMP Trust, commemorated the 50th golden jubilee anniversary of the famous slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”, coined by Shastri for the nation. Marked by the presence of the Shastri family, including his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the event witnessed musical and dance performances by musicians from the academy and school students from Haryana and Rajasthan.

The musical memorial also included a live interaction with Anil and Sunil Shastri, sons of Lal Bahadur, who delved into the qualities, values and principles of the leader. Anil said, “The slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ symbolises self-reliance. During the Indo-Pak war, the American President threatened him, saying that if he did not stop the war, they would stop the export of wheat to the country. 

My father asked an agricultural scientist how many days will Indians have to fast so that the country does not have to import wheat. He was told that if Indians skipped a meal every week, it was possible. He came home and began the fast himself. He and his family, including his three-year-old granddaughter, skipped dinner, before he made an official call to the nation.”

Of the many qualities and values that Lal Bahadur possessed, Anil dwelled on his father’s honesty, integrity and humility. He said, “When I was 17, I had just learnt driving and asked his secretary to help make a driving license. I showed it to my father later. He asked me how could I own it since I was not 18 yet. I replied saying, ‘Because I am the PM’s son’. 

He was sad and hurt because the law of the land had been violated in his own house. This programme is to inculcate in today’s youth what these great leaders have taught us.” The event concluded with the national anthem being sung by everyone present in the auditorium in exactly 52 seconds, its official duration.

LAL BAHADUR KO SAMARPIT EK SHAAM

/by

Swarna Jayanti

/by

Musical memorial held for late PM Shastri 111th BIRTH ANNIVERSARY

/by

A Gurgaon-based music academy organised a musical memorial to pay homage to late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his 111th birth anniversary and commemorated the golden jubilee of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”, on Saturday at Epicentre in Sector-44.

Lorraine Music Academy and LAMP Trust hosted “A Musical Memorial Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri”, which was attended by the second prime minister’s sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren. The chief guest was SY Quraishi, former chief election commissioner of India.

The evening began with a performance by students between four and 14 years old and professional musicians from the academy. They sang the fusion version of patriotic songs – Vande Mataram, Sare Jahaan Se Achcha, Hum Hinge Kaamyaab, Aao Bachcho and Nanna Munna Rahi Hun. The musical memorial included group / choir performances of patriotic and folk songs. Students from several schools in Haryana and Rajasthan also performed folk dances.

Meera Shastri, daughter-in-law of Lal Bahadur Shastri, sang Lalita Shastri’s bhajan composition ‘Bhole Bhole Rat Te Ho Gayi Main Baanwaria’.

Aubrey Aloysius, one of the founders of the music academy, conducted an onstage interaction with Anil and Sunil, sons of Lal Bahadur Shastri. Anil shared secrets and anecdotes about his experiences with his father.

The evening ended with the Shastri family singing the national anthem.

The musical memorial also included a brief workshop that educated and encouraged the audience to abide by and respect the Consititution of India, the Tricolour and the national anthem. This concert also aimed to raise awareness and garner support for the academy’s national patriotic project “Come India Sing Jana Gana Mana’.

REMEMBERING A PATRIOT

/by

A musical evening paid homage to the nation’s second Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, as family members recalled his principles and ethics

Very few people know that at the end of a long tiresome working day, the country’s former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri would turn to his wife Lalita to listen to her bhajans every evening. Among the bhajans that he thoroughly enjoyed was “Bhole Bhole Rat Te Ho Gayi Main Baanwaria”, one of Lalita’s favourite compositions. Bringing the magic of her songs on stage was their daughter-in-law Meera, at Epicentre in Gurgaon on Saturday evening.

The event titled “A Musical Memorial Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri”, hosted by Lorraine Music Academy and LAMP Trust, commemorated the 50th golden jubilee anniversary of the famous slogan “JAI JAWAN JAI KISAN”, coined by Shastri for the nation. Marked by the presence of the Shastri family, including his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the event witnessed musical and dance performances by musicians from the academy and school students from Haryana and Rajasthan.

The musical memorial also included a live interaction with Anil and Sunil Shastri, sons of Lal Bahadur Shastri, who delved into the qualities, values and principles of the leader. Anil said, “The slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ symbolises self-reliance. During the Indo-Pak war, the American President threatened him, saying that if he did not stop the war, that they would stop the export of wheat to the country. My father asked an agricultural scientist how many days will Indians have to fast so that the country does not have to import wheat. He was told that if Indians skipped a meal every week, it was possible. He came home and began the fast himself. He and his family, including his three-year-old granddaughter, skipped dinner, before he made an official call to the nation.”

Of the many qualities and values that Lal Bahadur possessed, Anil dwelled on his father’s honesty, integrity and humility. He said, “When I was 17, I had just learnt driving and asked his secretary to help make a driving license. I showed it to my father later. He asked me how could I own it since I was not 18 yet. I replied saying, ‘Because I am the PM’s son’. He was sad and hurt because the law of the land had been violated in his own house. This programme is to inculcate in today’s youth what these great leaders have taught us.” The event concluded with the national anthem being sung by everyone present in the auditorium in exactly 52 seconds, its official duration.

http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/remembering-a-patriot

SONG FOR THE SLOGAN

/by

Lorraine Music Academy and LAMP Trust is hosting “A Musical Memorial, Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri” at 6.30 pm today at Epicentre, Gurgaon, to commemorate the golden jubilee of the famous slogan JAI JAWAN JAI KISAN by Shastri. His family, including his sons, will be present for an interaction and to watch performances by musicians and students from schools and colleges of NCR.

‘JAI JAWAN, JAI KISAN’ ke liye sajegi sureeli shaam

/by

Musical event to celebrate Shastri’s birth anniversary

/by

To pay homage to the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, on his 111th birth anniversary and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Shastri’s slogan “Jai jawan jai kisan”, a musical event will be organised at Epicentre in Sector-44 on Saturday.

Shastri’s birth anniversary was on October 2. This event will be hosted by Lorraine Music Academy and LAMP Trust. It will be attended by Shastri’s sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

Former chief election commissioner S Y Quraishi will be the chief guest of the event.

Artistes from across the country will present patriotic and folk songs and group dances on the occasion. 

The event is part of a national patriotic project “Come India Sing Jana Gana Mana”. The project was launched on August 15, 2013. 

It is said that Lal Bahadur Shastri would end his day by listening to bhajans sung by Lalita Shastri. And so, Shastri’s favourite bhajan compositions like “Bata de koi mohe shyam ki dagariya” from her album “Archana” will be performed at the event.

Choir singing will include compositions like “A little peace”, “nanna munna rahi hun”, “Ao bacho”, “Assi desh di chad di lalli”. The band performance will include compositions like “Sare jahan se accha”, “Hum honge kaamyaab”, “Vande mataram”. 

Another attraction of the event will be a live on-stage interaction with Lal Bahadur Shastri’s sons Anil Shastri and Sunil Shastri. They will talk about the noble qualities, ideals, ethics and values that their father possessed.

Aubrey Aloysius, founder of the Lorraine Music Academy and the LAMP Trust, and chairman of the national patriotic project, said, “Music helps the creative process and sparks the imagination and ideas. When this musical imagination and experience of singing our national anthem is ignited in a group circumstance, we have the most extraordinary power to change young lives.”

SINGING AND PAINTING HELPED ME DESTRESS : ALL INDIA TOPPER

/by

While most class 12 students remained glued to their books between March and April, the all-india topper in the Central Board of Secondary Examinations’ class 12 examination continued to pursue her hobbies. “Unlike others, I did not discontinue my hobbies during the exams. In fact singing and painting helped me distress after studies,” M Gayathri told HT.

A student of New Green Field School in south Delhi’s Saket, Gayatri scored 99.20% in the all-india examination, with a perfect score in three out of the five subjects that she appeared for. 

She managed to score a 100 each in mathematics, accountancy and business studies, and 98 out of 100 in economics and English. 

Speaking if her performance, Promita Prabhakar, the principal of New Green Field School in Saket, said, “We always knew that she will outdo our expectations. We were confident that she will score well and looked up her results first. She is a quiet but focused student.”

Gayathri is a trained Carnatic singer and takes lessons for Tanjavur painting. 

Gayatri wants to become a chartered accountant (CA) and has already started preparing for the entrance exam scheduled in June.  

“Everybody wants an admission in the Delhi University. I am sure it is a great place to be in but that’s not my aim. I want to become a CA and and I will resume my studies after the celebrations are over,” she said.

SHE SAYS SHE WANTS TO BECOME A CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, HAS ALREADY STARTED PREPARING FOR THE EXAMINATION