23

Oct

Shastri Ji is my father, my guru and my ideal

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Sunil Shastri

New Delhi | Wednesday | 23 October 2024

(The month of October is very important for all of us because of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary and Lal Bahadur Shastri's birthday. On Media Map News, we will keep publishing good articles on our Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and Shastriji this month. This article on Shastriji is based on the interview given to Media Map correspondent Prashant Gautam - Editor)

Shastri ji, my Babuji, his honesty, simplicity and modesty still live in the hearts of the people. This is the reason why people still have unwavering love for him. Seeing him, people felt that they were not meeting a big leader, but an ordinary person among them. This humility of Shastri ji gave him a special place in the hearts of the people. People felt that he is a man among us, who is handling the responsibility of the country today.

I still remember the incident when there was a shortage of food grains in the country, and people were worried about what would happen next. Even in those difficult times, Shastri ji showed direction to the country with his leadership and simplicity. But Babuji gave an important message to the farmers and soldiers of the country at that time, looking at the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'. By soldiers, he did not only mean the army but also the young generation. He believed that the youth would take the country forward in the right direction. This was the reason why he had full faith in the young generation.

He once told me, and I still remember, whenever I saw a motto written on Babuji's table, the thought kept coming to my mind why don't I ask Babuji what should I make the motto of my life? Shastri ji had given a motto of Guru Nanak ji - "Nanak, remain small, like small grass. Bade bade bahee jaat hain, doob khub ki khub." This motto was very touching. Next to it, Babuji had also written its English translation - "Remain a small one, as smaller grass and other plants will stay away." I was very attracted to this motto, but could not understand its meaning completely. One day I held Babuji's hand and said, "Babuji, you cannot go to the office today, I will have to tell you the meaning of these lines."

Article at a Glance

Lal Bahadur Shastri's honesty, simplicity and modesty are still alive in the hearts of people. His leadership and simplicity showed direction to the country.
The slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' gave an important message to the farmers and soldiers of the country. Shastri ji always taught that true leaders are those who are committed to the welfare of their people.
His truthfulness and spirit of service make him great. Even today people remember him with respect. His vision and thoughts teach us that true leaders are those who are committed to the welfare of their people.

Babuji said, "Sunil, I have a meeting, I have to go. We will talk later." I said, "Meetings every time, meetings every day. How long will your son wait? Just tell me once." Then he put his hand on my shoulder and said lovingly, "Look, be like a small plant. No matter how strong the sun is, it always stays green. I never tried to become a beautiful flower, because a flower attracts, but its fragrance is temporary. The real service is of a plant that stays green for years, just like we should stand in service of our country every day."

When Babuji said this, I was very impressed and told him, "Babuji, you have made such wonderful lines the aim of your life, and because of this, today you have spread greenery in the country. You gave the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan', which inspires people even today." Babuji said smilingly, "Yes, because it was my dream that there should be greenery everywhere in the country, people should do farming, and grow something, not just rice, but also fruits, vegetables and grains.

Only when the country is green, will its prosperity be sustainable. Thinking of this, I adopted the slogan 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'." Then I asked another question, "So what message will you give me?"

When I asked Babuji, "What ideal should I try to follow?" he said seriously, "You have asked a very big question, it will take time to answer it." Then he gave the example of the Taj Mahal and said, "People from all over the world come to see Taj Mahal and many people will keep coming to see Taj Mahal, but if one day Taj Mahal turns into ruins due to the ravages of time, will people remember those who laid its foundation? No. I was looking into Babuji's eyes and searching for the answer. Babuji said that the real foundation is the foundation stones on which the Taj Mahal stands." He explained to me, "I want you to also become like a strong foundation on which the future of India can stand. Every youth of India should become a foundation stone and lay a strong foundation for the service of humanity. This is the true ideal."

Only when there are lakhs of people like Shastri Ji, our country will move forward rapidly on the path of truth and simplicity and complete every task with honesty. Then the name of the country will shine all over the world. In Shastri Ji's time, there were many big leaders like Morarji Desai, Indira Gandhi, Kamaraj, and Jayaprakash Narayan, but among all of them, Shastri Ji's personality was different and inspiring. What was so special about him that made him different from all others? He was an example of simplicity, honesty and hard work, these qualities make him great.

It is really heart-touching to know who took Lal Bahadur Shastri to his heights. Every leader of that time had deep patriotism in their hearts and immense love and goodwill towards the people. Everyone wanted to guide the country in the right direction. But there was something special in Shastriji, which made him different from other leaders. I remember, when Jayaprakash Narayan ji came home, Babuji had already told him to touch his feet. The same was said for Murari Bhai and Dr Rajendra Prasad. Shastriji always taught that a person is great by his work, not just by his position. His simplicity, honesty, and spirit of service made him a great leader. People had faith in him that whatever work Shastriji would do, it would be in the interest of the country. Shastriji's works established him as a credible leader, and this is why even today people remember him with respect. His truthfulness and spirit of service make him great.

A big leader had said that he is also a big leader and we are also big leaders. Both are cabinet ministers but still, there is a clear difference. It is important to understand this difference. When I talk about Lal Bahadur Shastri ji, I feel the divinity of his personality. As far as I am concerned, I am a man and Shastri ji is a Dev Purush, whose work style and approach had depth.

I remember, in a public meeting when Shastri ji's name was taken, a deep faith and enthusiasm towards his greatness was seen in the crowd. At that time that leader said what is the difference between us and Shastri ji. It is true that his way of working was unique, which made him different from other leaders.

As far as I am concerned, I am a man, but Shastriji was a God, a personality whose leadership and inspiration continue to guide us even today. His vision and thoughts teach us that true leaders are those who are committed to the welfare of their people.

If Shastriji were alive today, what would he have thought about politics and what guidance would he have given to the state leaders is an important and profound question. I do not consider myself capable of expressing Babuji's sentiments properly, but being a simple man and his son, I have seen his thoughts very closely.

When I was 16-17 years old, I took inspiration from Babuji. I remember when I wanted to grow up, I dreamt of becoming a doctor. His simplicity and dedication always inspired me. Whenever he would hear about a child's illness, he would immediately come forward to help them.

Babuji always taught us to speak the truth. He used to say that telling one lie leads to weaving a web of thousands of lies, but it is easy to maintain one truth.

If Babuji were alive today, he would have explained to people that we can build a better society only by following the path of truth and service.

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