Time to remember Shastri's efforts to fulfil the dream of a developed India

As every year, on October 2nd, the nation will respectfully remember Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, the pioneers of self-confidence and the economic revolution in India.

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• Lal Bahadur Shastri's reformist legacy was evident in his economic team.

Shastri is often remembered for his slogan, “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan". He is also known for his honesty, sacrifices, and the historic agreement after defeating Pakistan. However, amid the current political and economic changes, would it be wrong to say that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is following Shastri's path of liberal economic policies, striving for self-sufficiency in food production and the dairy revolution, fortifying national security against Pakistan and China, and rigorously tackling political corruption? Sadly, the Congress party did not accord Shastri the posthumous honour and credit he deserved. It's a fact that long before Narasimha Rao or Manmohan Singh, Lal Bahadur Shastri initiated the revolutionary shift from socialist, communist-influenced, statecontrolled economics towards a liberal, market-driven approach.

Thus, it wouldn't be surprising if Prime Minister Narendra Modi humbly acknowledges that he is working to transform India into a developed nation by following Shastri's vision, along with Gandhi's ideals.

Shastri could be regarded as India's first economic reformer post-Independence. One reason Shastri hasn't received his due recognition might be the misconceptions surrounding his initial attempts at economic reforms.

It's commonly believed that the decision to devalue the Indian rupee in 1966 was made by Indira Gandhi after becoming Prime Minister. While it's true that the rupee was devalued during her tenure, records in the Indian government archives show that the decision to devalue the currency, a necessary step, was made during Shastri's premiership. I.G.