Shastri Memorial

SHASTRI LAID FOUNDATION FOR FOOD SECURITY

- Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI: Stating that Lal Bahadur Shastri was committed to an open and liberal economy, Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh on 7 May credited him with laying the foundation for the country's food security. "We are also indebted to Shastriji for the success of the white revolution in the country," he added.

"The National Dairy Board was established in 1965 when he was Prime Minister. This project has since helped the country in creating self-sufficiency in milk production, trebling the nation's milk production within a span of two and a half decades," said Dr. Singh at the inauguration of Lal Bahadur Shastri Memorial here. Stating that his heroism and competent leadership during the India-Pakistan conflict of 1965 had become legendary, Dr. Singh asserted that the leader's slogan of "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" had electrified the nation. "This vision of his that the `kisan' is as much a soldier as the `jawan' underlined the need to boost our food production, which contributed greatly to strengthening the defences of our country," he added.

Dr. Singh said he took over when questions were being asked about the economic well-being and political stability of the nation. His leadership style earned the trust and the confidence of the nation; his rectitude and integrity were equally matched by considerable administrative acumen and great competence, Dr. Singh said. It would have been a formidable prospect for any leader to succeed after a colossus like Nehru and leave behind even a reasonable record of governance. "The fact that he did so, amply speaks of his inner strength and ability to rise to the occasion," the Prime Minister said. Apart from defending the country against external aggression and internal poverty, he also waged a relentless battle against corruption, Dr. Singh stated. "His decision to resign from the position of Railway Minister after a rail accident has become a popular tale of public accountability for generations" he said.

Referring to the former Prime Minister as one of the greatest legends of India, the Union Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Culture, Dr. Jaipal Reddy, said that in the history of India fraught with epic personalities, he had a place of his own. "This memorial is a living demonstration of simple living and high thinking that he symbolized in his life," he said. Also present on the occasion were the former Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former President, Shri R Venkatraman, the Union Home Minister, Shri Shivraj Patil and Delhi Chief Minister, Smt. Sheila Dikshit, his sons, Shri Anil Shastri and Shri Sunil Shastri.