Top 39+ Lal Bahadur Shastri Quotes for Inspiration and Motivation

Best Lal Bahadur Shastri Quotes: Lal Bahadur Shastri is one of India’s greatest politicians and statesmen. He served as the 2nd Prime Minister and 6th Chief Minister of India. Throughout his life, he worked hard to help India grow on a global scale. Let’s celebrate him and his legacy to reinforce wisdom and devotion. As, it is believed that words hold great power to encourage, enlighten and inspire generations.

About Lal Bahadur Shastri

Lal Bahadur Shastri was born on October 2, 1904 to Sharada Prasad Srivastava and Ramdulari Devi. His early life was full of financial struggles, but he overcame all adversity through education and joined the freedom movement against British colonial rule.

A staunch follower of Mahatma Gandhi, Shastri played a pivotal role in India's struggle for independence. He earned the respect of the masses for his simplicity, integrity, and dedication to public service. Shastri held different positions in independent India from 1964 to 1966.

His sheer dedication towards national security was evident during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. He raised the slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan," emphasizing the importance of both soldiers and farmers for the development of the country. Despite his short tenure, Lal Bahadur Shastri's legacy endures as a symbol of humility, integrity, and leadership in Indian history.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Biography: Early Life, Political Career, Achievements, Awards, Death, Personal Life & More

Inspirational and Motivational Quotes by Lal Bahadur Shastri

• "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."
• "We believe in peace and peaceful development, not only for ourselves but for people all over the world."
• "Discipline and united action are the real source of strength for the nation."
• "We must fight for peace bravely as we fought in war."
• "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, gurdwaras 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."
• "We believe in the dignity of man as an individual, whatever his race, colour or creed, and his right to a better, fuller, and richer life."

• "We believe in peace in the settlement of all disputes through peaceful means, in the abolition of war, and, more particularly, nuclear war."
• "I am not as simple as I look."
• "We can win respect in the world only if we are strong internally and can banish poverty and unemployment from our country."
• "The speed with which we in the Congress are going down is sometimes frightening. Government administration in the districts is rapidly reaching a low level. No strong opposition party has been able to emerge."
• "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."
• "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."
• "There has no doubt to be fundamental science research, but applied research is equally important for new improvements and changes in our techniques."

• "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."
• "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."
• "Non-alignment will continue to be the fundamental basis of our approach to world problems and our relations with other countries."
• "No doubt we have to have bigger projects, bigger industries, basic industries, but it is a matter of the highest importance that we look to the common man, the weakest element in the society."

Famous Lal Bahadur Shastri Quotes Images

• “The preservation of freedom is not the task of soldiers alone. The whole nation has to be strong.”
• “True democracy or the swaraj of the masses can never come through untruthful and violent means.”
• “We all have to work in our respective spheres with the same dedication, the same zeal and the same determination which inspired and motivated the warrior on the battle front. And this has to be shown not by mere words, but by actual deeds.”

• “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 basic idea of governance, as I see it, is to hold the society together so that it can develop and march towards certain goals.”
• “Success in science and scientific work come not through the provision of unlimited or big resources, but in the wise and careful selection of problems and objectives. Above all, what is required is hard sustained work and dedication.”
• “We have now to fight for peace with the same courage and determination as we fought against aggression.”
• “The rule of law should be respected so that the basic structure of our democracy is maintained and further strengthened.”
• “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.”
• “The economic issues are most vital for us and it is of the highest importance that we should fight our biggest enemies - Poverty, and unemployment.”

• “I had always been feeling uncomfortable in my mind about giving advice to others and not acting upon it myself.”
• “There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the crossroads of history and must choose which way to go.”
• “I tremble when I am reminded of the fact that I have to be in charge of this country and Parliament, which had been led by no less a person than Jawaharlal Nehru.”
• We have to surmount the difficulties that face us and work steadfastly for the happiness and prosperity of our country.
• We are a very big and vast Government, and naturally, every ministry is becoming bigger and bigger. It becomes, therefore, essential that there should be proper coordination.
• We cannot afford to spend millions and millions on nuclear arms when there is poverty and unemployment all around us.

• It is most regrettable that nuclear energy is being harnessed for making nuclear weapons.
• We believe in freedom, freedom for the people of each country to follow their destiny without external interference.

Conclusion

Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on 11 January 1996, just after signing a peace treaty to end the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. The unidentified cause behind his death sparked speculations of an international conspiracy.

He was honoured with India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 1966 for his exemplary contribution towards the growth of the country. 

Why Lal Bahadur Shastri is known as the ‘Man of Peace’?