I'm preparing for my modern Indian history exam and I'm struggling to understand the differences in the economic policies of Nehru and Shastri. Can someone explain how their approaches impacted India's development in the 1950s and 1960s?

Nehru and Shastri had distinct economic approaches that influenced India's development. Nehru, serving from 1947 to 1964, emphasized state-led industrialization and socialist planning through initiatives like the Second Five-Year Plan, focusing on heavy industries and public sector growth. In contrast, Shastri, who served from 1964 to 1966, shifted towards agricultural self-sufficiency, notably with the Green Revolution, to address food shortages and rural development.

Key impacts include:

• Nehru's Era: Established industrial bases but faced challenges like slow agricultural growth and trade deficits.
• Shastri's Era: Prioritized food security and decentralization, leading to increased crop yields and rural empowerment.

For your exam, compare their legacies using specific events like the Bhakra Nangal Dam under Nehru and the Food Corporation of India under Shastri.