Q.Describe any two challenges faced by India during the term of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

During Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's term, India faced significant challenges, primarily stemming from internal economic pressures and external security threats.

Two key challenges were:

• Severe Food Crisis and Drought: India experienced widespread drought conditions and a severe food shortage. This led to a critical agricultural crisis, necessitating large-scale food imports and putting immense pressure on the nation's economy. Shastri's call for "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan" underscored the dual importance of defending the nation and achieving food self-sufficiency. …

Lal Bahadur Shastri assumed the office of Prime Minister in June 1964, following the sudden demise of Jawaharlal Nehru. His term, though tragically short, was marked by immense pressure and significant events that tested the young nation's resilience. He inherited a country grappling with the complexities of nation-building, economic development, and external security. Among the numerous issues, two challenges stood out prominently, demanding immediate and decisive leadership.

The Severe Food Crisis and Economic Strain

One of the most pressing challenges Shastri faced was a severe food crisis, which threatened to destabilise the nation's economy and social fabric. India's agriculture was still largely dependent on monsoon rains, and a series of widespread droughts, particularly in 1965-66, led to drastic declines in food grain production.

• Dependence on Imports: At the time, India relied heavily on food imports, especially from the United States under the PL-480 programme, to feed its growing population. The droughts intensified this dependence, making the country vulnerable to external pressures and global food price fluctuations.
• Rising Prices and Scarcity: The scarcity of food grains led to soaring prices, making essential commodities unaffordable for many and causing widespread distress, particularly among the poorer sections of society. This created significant economic strain and social unrest.
• Shastri's Response: Shastri responded with a powerful call for self-reliance, encapsulated in his iconic slogan, 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan' (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer). This slogan not only boosted the morale of the armed forces during the war but also underscored the critical importance of agricultural self-sufficiency. He urged citizens to voluntarily skip one meal a week to conserve food and initiated policies that laid the groundwork for the Green Revolution, focusing on improved seeds, fertilisers, and irrigation to boost domestic food production.

The Indo-Pakistan War of 1965

The second major challenge was the outbreak of the Indo-Pakistan War in 1965, which tested India's military preparedness and diplomatic acumen. Tensions between the two nations had been simmering, particularly over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

• Initial Skirmishes: The conflict began with skirmishes in the Rann of Kutch in April 1965, followed by Pakistan's 'Operation Gibraltar' in August, which involved sending infiltrators into Jammu and Kashmir with the aim of instigating an uprising. …