Country pays tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on 116th birth anniversary

The country on Friday celebrated 151 st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and 116th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on Friday. Rich tributes were paid to both the great personalities across the nation and on social media.

On the occasion, Congress President Sonia Gandhi invoked both Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri and said that the soul of India lives in villages while Shastri gave the famous slogan of "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan". In a video statement, she said the Prime Minister was doing grave injustice to farmers by implementing the black laws.

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi too paid homage to the former prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 151st birth anniversary and wished that the ideals of the Father of the Nation remain a guiding force helping in building a compassionate India. Besides Mahatma Gandhi, Modi also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary saying, he epitomised simplicity and lived for the welfare of our nation.

President Ram Nath Kovind also paid salutation to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary. "That great son of Mother India served the country with unprecedented dedication and integrity. All the countrymen remember him devoutly for the fundamental role in the Green Revolution and the White Revolution and for his strong leadership during the war," he said.

Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari garlanded a bust of Mahatma Gandhi and offered flowers at the portrait of Shastri at a function in Raj Bhavan

Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray also paid tributes before the portraits of the two leaders at his private residence 'Matoshri'. In a message, he recalled Gandhiji's contributions as the architect of Indian Independence. H recalled Shastri ji’s simplicity and said Shastriji practiced simplicity with high thinking and gave the slogan of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' to the country.

"Both these great sons bequeathed a sense of one country and their contributions to the nation's progress remains unparalleled," said Thackeray.

Congress President and Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat, NCP President Sharad Pawar, his MP daughter Supriya Sule, and other top leaders of the NCP, Congress, and the Shiv Sena also paid tributes to the Father of the Nation and the late Prime Minister.

Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh launched three rural projects on the occasion and launched a signature campaign against the contentious ne Farm Laws.

Karnataka and Goa too celebrated the occasion in simple ceremonies. In other states as well the birth anniversaries of both the leaders were celebrated in simple yet warm manner.

Bollywood celebrities too paid tribute to the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, on his 116th birth anniversary on Friday.

Veteran actress-politician Hema Malini tweeted: "We also remember another great son of the nation - Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji whose jayanti is celebrated today."

Lyricist Prasoon Joshi shared: "Our country is blessed to have had two giant thought leaders who live on in our national consciousness. May we stay inspired by their vision #GandhiJayanti #LalBahadurShastriJayanti."

Urmila Matondkar posted: "#LalBahadurShastri ji former Prime Minister of India, BharatRatna..man of great integrity and competence. Humble, tolerant, with great inner strength and resoluteness. My humble tribute. #LalBahadurShastriJayanti #JaiJawanJaiKisan forever n always."

"The Tashkent Files" helmer Vivek Agnihotri tweeted: "On the occasion of #LalBahadurShastri's jayanti and his memory, I am dedicating my new book #WhoKilledShastri to the tyaagi & tapasvi leader Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri's family. @MahimaShastri."

Randeep Hooda wrote: "Two great leaders with a vision and path for the country that's relevant even today..#GandhiJayanti #LalBahadurShastriJayanti"