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In Pics: Prime Ministers who hoisted National flag from Red Fort

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the historic Red Fort as the Prime Minister for the first time. The level of expectation was extremely high owing to Modi's excellent oratory skills. And he



Lal Bahadur Shastri

He was the second Prime Minister of India who got the privilege to hoist the national flag. Lal Bahadur Shastri was soft – spoken and mild natured. He was an adamant Nehruvian socialist. After Nehru's death, he was projected as the PM to keep the left- wing ideology alive.  

Lal Bahadur Shastri was made the Prime Minister on 9th June, 1964. His tenure was brief. He died in Tashkent, Pakistan, the day after signing the Tashkent Declaration. His sudden death was suspicious. His family claimed that he suffered no physical ailment and that he was poisoned. His death still remains a mystery. He died on 11th January, 1966.

In his first broadcast as Prime Minister, on 11th June 1964, Shastri said:

“There comes a time in the life of every nation when it stands at the cross-roads of history and must choose which way to go. But for us there need be no difficulty or hesitation, no looking to right or left. Our way is straight and clear—the building up of a socialist democracy at home with freedom and prosperity for all, and the maintenance of world peace and friendship with all nations.”