Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Lal Bahadur Shastri Led India Through Personal Example
India had very little food in the mid-1960s.
At the same time, it was fighting Pakistan.
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri asked people to save food.
He suggested that people could fast once a week or skip one meal.
Shastri and his family reportedly did this first.
This showed that he was willing to follow the advice he gave others.
His example helped make the request about shared sacrifice.
The story presents Shastri as a leader who led by example.
India faced severe food shortages in the mid-1960s.
India was also fighting Pakistan in the 1965 war.
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri urged citizens to conserve food.
His appeal included voluntarily fasting weekly or giving up one meal.
Shastri and his family reportedly practiced the sacrifice before asking the public to do so.
- Who
- Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, his family, and the citizens of India.
- What
- Shastri urged citizens to conserve food through measures including a voluntary weekly fast or giving up one meal.
- When
- In the mid-1960s, during the 1965 war.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- India was facing severe food shortages while fighting Pakistan.
- Leader
- Lal Bahadur Shastri
- Country
- India
- Period
- Mid-1960s
- Conflict
- The 1965 war with Pakistan
- Public appeal
- Conserve food
- Suggested sacrifice
- A weekly fast or giving up one meal
- Personal example
- Shastri and his family reportedly participated before the wider public was asked