Lal Bahadur Shastri famous quotes

The second Prime Minister of independent India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, has several achievements to his credit. Known for his acumen and planning skills, Shastri promoted the White Revolution and Green Revolution in India, boosting the food production in the country.


Shastri’s thoughts and philosophy reflect the influence of personalities like Swami Vivekananda, Annie Besant, and Mahatma Gandhi. Right from 1920. Shastri was widely known for his role in India’s freedom struggle. Interestingly, Lal Bahadur Shastri shares his birthday with Mahatma Gandhi. Shastri was born on 2nd October 1904.


The famous quote of Lal Bahadur Shastri -- 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan', is very popular. Here are a few inspiring quotes from this inspiring leader.


Lal Bahadur Shastri famous quotes

Shastri on Indian governance and policies

• We believe in peace and peaceful development, not only for ourselves but for people all over the world.
• India will have to hang down her head in shame if even one person is left who is said in any way to be untouchable.
• We believe in peace in the settlement of all disputes through peaceful means, in the abolition of war, and, more particularly, nuclear war.
• The basic idea of governance, as I see it, is to hold the society together so that it can develop and march towards certain goals.
• We must fight for peace bravely as we fought in war.
• We can win respect in the world only if we are strong internally and can banish poverty and unemployment from our country.
• Our country has often stood like a solid rock in the face of common danger, and there is a deep underlying unity which runs like a golden thread through all our seeming diversity.
• Our way is straight and clear - the building up of a socialist democracy at home, with freedom and prosperity for all, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations abroad.
• We believe in the dignity of man as an individual, whatever his race, color or creed, and his right to a better, fuller, and richer life.

Shastri about India and patriotism

• The unique thing about our country is that we have Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, and people of all other religions. We have temples and mosques, gurudwaras and churches. But we do not bring all this into politics... This is the difference between India and Pakistan.
• Our way is straight and clear - the building up of a socialist democracy at home, with freedom and prosperity for all, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations abroad.
• That loyalty to the country comes ahead of all other loyalties. And this is an absolute loyalty, since one cannot weight it in terms of what one receives.
• The preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong.
• My patriotism is subservient to my religion. I cling to India like a child to its mother’s breast, because I feel that she gives me the spiritual nourishment I need. She has the environment that responds to my highest aspiration.

Shastri on leading by example

• I had always been feeling uncomfortable in my mind about giving advice to others and not acting upon it myself.
• Discipline and united action are the real source of strength for the nation.

Shastri on tackling corruption

• Sampling out corruption is a very tough job, but I say so in all seriousness that we would be failing in our duty if we do not tackle this problem seriously and with determination.