JAI JAWAN

(Hail the Soldier)

JAI KISAN

(Hail the Farmer)

The slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” was coined by the 2nd Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, on 21st October 1965 in Uruva village in Allahabad District, Uttar Pradesh, to motivate and inspire the two pillars of India, the Soldier and the Farmer. He later reiterated the slogan at another public gathering at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi. The slogan became a very popular slogan with almost every truck plying across the nation bearing this slogan painted on its body. Underlying this is the inner-most sentiments ‘Jai Hindustan’.

Soon after Shastri took over the prime ministership of India after Jawaharlal Nehru’s death, India was attacked by Pakistan. At the same time there was scarcity of food grains in the country. Shastri gave the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” to enthuse the soldiers to defend India and simultaneously cheering farmers to do their best to increase the production of food grains to reduce dependence on import. Under his leadership India faced and repulsed the Pakistani invasion of 1965. It is not only a matter of pride for the Indian Army but also for every citizen of the country. The war of 1965 was fought and won for our self-respect and our national prestige. For using our Defence Forces with such admirable skill, the nation remains beholden to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. He will be remembered for all times to come for his large heartedness and public service.

This slogan reverberates even today through the length and breadth of the country and is very much pertinent in today’s India.