Q.78 Write a critical note on the evolution and significance of the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan”. POST-INDEPENDENCE INDIA (UPSC CSE 2013) (200 words/10 marks)

Answer:

INTRODUCTION:

‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ is a well-known slogan raised by Lal Bahadur Shastri during the war between India and Pakistan in 1965. At this point, army and farmers were defending India from Pakistani aggression and food scarcity. It serves as an inspiration, emphasizing the critical importance of the nation’s soldiers and farmers in ensuring sovereignty, security, and sustenance.

THE BODY:

Objectives of the slogan

During this time, because of war there was also a scarcity of food which had left the farmers distressed. Therefore, in an effort to encourage both the soldiers and the farmers, Lal Bahadur Shastri came up with the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” which means “Hail the soldier, Hail the farmer”.

• • War and Defence: “Jai Jawan” part of the slogan was a tribute to the bravery, resilience, and commitment of the The aim of this slogan was to raise enthusiasm in the soldiers to fight for the country and defend the country from the attack.
  • Agriculture and Food Security: The “Jai Jawan” part of the slogan was a tribute to the farmer’s bravery, resilience, and commitment. It aims to raise enthusiasm within the farmers to increase production of the food grains which would help to tackle the scarcity of food in the country.

Evolution of the slogan

• • Over the years there have been many variants of the original slogan like “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan Jai Vigyan” which was given by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the year It aims to underline the importance of science and knowledge in India’s progress.
  • In the year 2009, Dr. Kailash Chandra Mishra, the Director of the Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management coined the slogan as “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Vidwan”. It means “Hail the learned” to signify that knowledge is the driving force for the development of the nation.
  • Another variant given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan” in which the “Jai Anusandhan” part is added which means “Hail the research”.
  • It further expands India’s interest in research, and it points to the requirement of recognising the other sectors and their contribution towards the progress of the country.

Significance of the slogan

• • Symbol of Sacrifice: The slogan became a symbol uniting the nation during a period of crisis and underscores the sacrifice of soldiers and It emphasised the idea that while soldiers protected the nation from external threats, farmers ensured food self-sufficiency.
  • Agricultural transformation: The slogan served as a motivational factor, emphasizing the nation’s faith in and support for its agrarian There was a marked shift in India’s agricultural policy after the 1965 war for example, the period witnessed the onset of the Green Revolution.
  • Current relevance: The slogan still holds relevance. While India has made significant progress in various sectors, agriculture still remains its backbone, employing the majority of its population. Similarly, with prevailing geopolitical tensions in South Asia, role of the armed forces remains crucial.

CONCLUSION:

The slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’’ expresses India’s gratitude towards its soldiers and farmers. The slogan itself has evolved throughout the time and still remains relevant. Achieving high agricultural growth still remains key to the attainment of high growth rates and with geopolitical tensions prevalent in south Asia the role of armed forces remains crucial. It is imperative to make sure that the spirit embodied in this phrase is not just remembered but also reflected in policies of the government.