Lalit Narayan Mishra was horn in January, 1923 at Basaupatti in Saharsa district of Bihar. He took to politics in his student days. He organised the Bihar Provincial Students Congress in 1941, was its Secretary in 1945-46 and President from 1946-48. He courted imprisonment in 1941 and 1942 for taking part in the freedom movement. He did his M.A. in Economics from Patna University and did research work on jute cultivation in Bihar. He was a Fellow of Patna University Senate in 1948-49.

His rise, as a leader of national stature began in 1950 when he became a Member of the All India Congress Committee. He was a Member of the First  and  Second Lok Sabha between 1952-62. He was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1964 and remained its member until his election to Lok Sabha in 1971. He was unanimously elected a Member of the Congress Working  Committee  in December,  1972.

Lalit Narayan  Mishra  held  various high posts in Government. He was Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Labour and Employment, 1957- 60; Deputy Minister for Labour. Employment and Planning, 1960-62; Deputy Minister for Home  Affairs,  1964-66; Deputy Finance Minister, 1966-67; Minister of State tor Labour, Employment and Rehabilitation, March-November, 1967 and Minister of State for Defence Production, 1967-70. From 1970 to February 4, 1973 he was Minister of Foreign Trade. This period was marked by increase in the volume of exports and State participation in foreign  trade. On February 5, 1973 he was appointed Minister of Railways with Cabinet rank.

As leader of official Indian delegations, Mishra visited a number of countries in Asia, Europe, North and South America. He led the Indian delegation to the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East at Bangkok and Manila. He also led the Indian delegation to the Second UNCTAD Conference at Santiago.

As Minister of Railways, Lalit Narayan Mishra visited Samastipur on 2nd January, 1975 to declare open Samastipur­Muzaffarpur broad gauge railway line. He was seriously injured by a bomb explosion on the dais. He was rushed to the Railway Hospital at  Danapur  where he succumbed to his injuries on 3rd January, 1975.

The P & T Department is privileged to bring out a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Lalit Narayan Mishra on the occasion of his first death anniversary.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India