17

Jun

June 16: World Father’s Day

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My father--My friend, philosopher, and guide

Hari Krishna Shastri

(The author was the eldest of the four sons of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He died in 1997 at the age of 59 years. We have dug out this article from our archives.)

New Delhi, 17 June 2024

When I look back I am reminded of my respected father Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri whose life was a life of relentless struggle. There were four brothers and two sisters. Babuji's means were limited and we were always short of money. However, mother Lalita Shastri ran the household with a lot of tact and understanding Babuji's guidance and direction and Ma's encouragement gave us the confidence to forge ahead with courage and self-confidence.

 

It was darkness all around us when Babuji suddenly left this world in January 1966. I was the eldest son and all financial responsibility came on my shoulders. My younger brothers were still at school. It is difficult to believe that when the Prime Minister of the world's largest democracy passed away his family had no bank balance and no house of its own.

 

Babuji was an embodiment of honesty, integrity, and determination. Not even by mistake the idea of using his position to amass wealth for himself or his family crossed his mind. Of course, he did leave some bank loans. Today I feel that perhaps we could survive the grim struggle of life only because of the blessing of Babuji and because of the fruits of his noble deeds.

Article at a Glance

 

The article is a personal account of the author's memories of their late father, Lal Bahadur Shastri. Despite financial struggles, Shastri lived a life of honesty, integrity, and determination, which left a deep impact on the author.

Shastri was a strict father who emphasized the importance of duty and discipline. He was particular about cleanliness and order, and the author has carried forward these values in their own life. Shastri's dedication to his public duties often took precedence over personal considerations, and he was unsparing when it came to wrongdoing.

The author recounts several instances where Shastri's actions, though seemingly harsh at the time, taught them valuable lessons. The article is a heartfelt tribute to a father who left a lasting impression on his child's life.

I was about eight years old. Babuji was in jail, and I took ill. When my condition worsened, I remembered my father and cried. Babuji learned about my condition in jail but turned down the offer of the British government for a conditional release. After a few days, the jail authorities relented and unconditionally released Babuji on parole. We were very happy to have him back. However, after a few days, it was time for him to go back. I was still running temperature. When Babuji was about to leave, I cried bitterly. However, Babuji was unmoved. For him, a duty to his motherland was superior to any personal consideration. I felt very bad and for a while, I thought that my father was insensitive and heart--

 

less. Later, I realized that those fighting a grim battle for the liberation struggle of their motherland had to be like that. Babuji was indulgent but unsparing when we did anything wrong. With my friends, I learned to play marbles. One day when Babuji came home for his Lunch he found me playing marbles. I was immediately summoned to his room. Babuji pointed towards a stick and said that he would use it on me if I was found playing marbles ever again. Babuji went back to the office without taking his lunch. I also did not take my food. When we sat for dinner in the evening Babuji first gave me a morsel and then started his dinner.

I took to kite-flying --something Babuji did not like. One day when he returned home my kite was high on the skies. Babuji was enraged and he cut the thread. I was deeply hurt. But then I realized that Kite-Liying was not a good sport and Babuji had done this in my interest. I decided not to fly kites ever again.

 

There are many such remembrances of Babuji. These are a precious treasure that I have stored very carefully deep in my heart.

 

Babuji hated the sight of an untidy room. Then I his eldest son was too careless and casual about keeping my things properly. Babuji often complained about this to Ma. Then I went to England for higher studies. Since I was away there was none to leave things here and there and my room would not get untidy. Missing me Babuji would often come to my room and fam finding it in order would tell my mother that it looked better when Hari threw his things all over.

 

Today when I see things lying haywire in my room I am immediately reminded of Babuji and place them at their proper station.

 

Babuji was a Minister at the Centre and I took up a job after completing my education. One evening I was sitting next to an industrialist in a cultural show at Shriram Centre, New Delhi. We started talking and the industrialist was impressed by my qualifications and training. He invited me to his place the dinner next day so that we could talk in detail. When I sought Babuji's permission he declined Not only this he telephoned the industrialist and asked him not to wait for me at the dinner.

 

When Babuji was the Prime Minister a big industrialist was trying for quite some time to see him. Babuji was too busy to grant him an interview. Then I pleaded his case with Babuji. Babuji was upset and told me: "It is the job of officers to see who is to meet the Prime Minister. Since when have you started meddling in these matters? Never do this again." I realized my mistake.

 

Babuji liked to have allo bhurta and Kcechri for his dinner. In this connection, I am reminded of a very interesting incident. Babuji was to leave for Tashkent the next morning and Ma was busy preparing his baggage. Kcechri was cooked for Babuji and he thoroughly enjoyed himself at the dinner. Then he asked Ma if she had forgotten to put salt in it. She had and she was immediately apologetic. However, Babu Ji ate it without asking for the salt."

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