The correct answer is: A. John Mathai.
John Mathai was the first Railway Minister of independent India. He was appointed to the position on 15 August 1947, the day India gained independence from British rule. He served in the position until 1950.
Mathai was born in 1887 in Kerala, India. He studied at the University of Madras and the London School of Economics. After graduating, he worked as a banker and economist. He was also a member of the Indian National Congress.
In 1947, Mathai was appointed as the first Railway Minister of independent India. He was responsible for the development of the Indian Railways. He also served as the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Planning.
Mathai died in 1959. He was a respected economist and politician. He is considered to be one of the architects of modern India.
The other options are incorrect.
- Lal Bahadur Shastri was the second Prime Minister of India. He served from 1964 to 1966.
- Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India. He served from 1947 to 1964.
- Shanmugham Shetty was the Minister of Railways from 1977 to 1979.