Indira Gandhi was the first and only woman to ever hold the position of Prime Minister of India. She held this position twice, the first time from 1966 until 1977 and the second time from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.
There is no doubting the influence that she had on Indian politics and society, despite the fact that she was a figure that was both divisive and controversial. Check more about her life in the post.
Indira Gandhi was born in a political family
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917 in Allahabad, India, into a renowned political family. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a prominent player in the campaign for Indian independence and went on to become India’s first Prime Minister after the country gained its freedom.
Indira’s upbringing in the throes of the war for independence, as well as her father’s involvement in various political causes, had a significant impact on her. Her official education was completed in India, and she went on to complete it in Switzerland, which is where she first became interested in political and social issues.
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Interest in politics
Following India’s attainment of its independence in 1947, Indira gradually became more interested in political affairs. She held the positions of Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Information and Broadcasting, and Member of Parliament during her career.
She was the first woman to be elected to the role of Prime Minister of India, which she did in 1966 after she won the election. During her stint as Prime Minister, Indira was involved in both successful initiatives and contentious debates.
The mind wobbling decisions of Indira Gandhi
She instituted policies with the goals of fostering economic growth and alleviating poverty, such as the nationalisation of banks and the introduction of programmes to help small-scale companies and agriculture.
These goals were accomplished through the implementation of these policies. However, considerable criticism and unrest were caused as a result of her dictatorial tendencies as well as the declaration of a state of emergency in the year 1975.
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Marriage Life & Children
After Indira Gandhi joined the Congress Party, she got to know her future husband, Feroze Gandhi. Feroze Gandhi was a significant member of the Youth Congress and worked as a reporter during that time period.
In later years, Indira Gandhi wed Feroze Gandhi in the year 1941, despite her father’s opposition to the union. Sanjay Gandhi came after his older brother Rajiv Gandhi in the order of their birth.
Fall from the power
The two years of emergency rule that Gandhi oversaw were met with vehement and widespread opposition from the public. When the emergency was lifted in the beginning of 1977, the political opponents who had been imprisoned were released and immediately set their sights on removing Gandhi and the New Congress Party from power.
She and her party were heavily trounced in the long-delayed national legislative elections that were finally held later that year in 1977, and as a result, she resigned from her position.
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Assassination of Indira Gandhi
On October 31, 1984, two of Gandhi’s Sikh bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, allegedly killed her in retaliation for Operation Blue Star by shooting her with their service weapons in the garden of the prime minister’s residence at 1 Safdarjung Road in New Delhi.
After some time, Kehar Singh was taken into custody on charges of conspiracy in connection with the attack. Both Satwant and Kehar were found guilty of their crimes, given the death penalty, and executed by hanging in Delhi’s Tihar Prison.
Indira Gandhi Legacy
Indira Gandhi managed to maintain her status as a pivotal figure in Indian politics in spite of the difficulties she faced. She won re-election as Prime Minister in 1980, and she served in that capacity until the year 1984, when she was murdered. Her legacy will be remembered for the contributions she made to the advancement of women’s rights as well as her influence on India’s economic and social growth.
To Conclude
In conclusion, the life and career of Indira Gandhi serve as an example of the power that may be achieved through tenacity and leadership. She remained steadfastly dedicated to her vision for India in spite of the many obstacles and difficulties that she encountered.
