Indira Gandhi
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Indira Gandhi |
She was the only child of Jawaharlal Nehru, who later became the first Prime Minister of India, and Kamala Nehru, a social activist. Indira Gandhi was an influential leader who played a pivotal role in shaping India's political landscape during the twentieth century.
Early Life and Education:
Indira Gandhi was born into a politically active family. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and played a vital role in the Indian independence movement. Indira Gandhi was brought up in an atmosphere of political discussions and debates, which had a significant influence on her. She was educated at home until the age of eleven, after which she attended Modern School in Delhi. She then went on to study at the Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, where she developed an interest in Indian art, culture, and philosophy.
In 1934, Indira Gandhi went to England to study at the University of Oxford. She was only seventeen years old at the time and had to struggle to adjust to the new environment. Her stay in England was cut short when her mother became seriously ill, and she had to return to India to be by her side. Unfortunately, her mother passed away soon after her return.
Career and Political Life:
Indira Gandhi's political career began in the 1950s when she became a member of the Indian National Congress. She was appointed as the President of the Congress Party in 1959, a position she held until 1960. In 1964, after the death of her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, she was appointed as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in the cabinet of Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
In 1966, after the sudden death of Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi was elected as the Prime Minister of India. She was the first woman to hold this position in India and remained in power until 1977. During her first term as Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi implemented several policies aimed at reducing poverty and improving the standard of living of the people. She also pursued a policy of non-alignment in foreign affairs, maintaining good relations with both the United States and the Soviet Union.
In 1971, Indira Gandhi led India to victory in the Indo-Pakistani War, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh. Her popularity soared after this decisive victory, and she was re-elected as Prime Minister in 1971.
In 1975, Indira Gandhi's government was faced with widespread protests and strikes organized by opposition parties and labor unions. She responded by declaring a state of emergency, suspending civil liberties and press freedoms, and imprisoning opposition leaders. This move was widely criticized both within India and abroad and led to the erosion of her popularity.
In 1977, Indira Gandhi's government was defeated in the general elections, and she was forced to step down as Prime Minister. However, she returned to power in 1980 after leading the Congress Party to victory in the general elections.
controversies around Indira Gandhi:
Indira Gandhi's political career was not without controversy. Here are some of the controversies that surrounded her:
State of Emergency: The declaration of a state of emergency by Indira Gandhi's government in 1975 was one of the most controversial events of her career. The suspension of civil liberties and press freedoms, as well as the arrest of opposition leaders, were widely criticized both within India and abroad.
Operation Blue Star: The military operation against Sikh militants who had taken control of the Golden Temple in Amritsar in 1984 was another controversial decision made by Indira Gandhi's government. The operation resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, including militants, soldiers, and civilians, and was seen by many as a violation of religious freedom.
Forced Sterilization: In the 1970s, Indira Gandhi's government implemented a controversial family planning program that included forced sterilization of men and women. The program was criticized for violating human rights and targeting poor and marginalized communities.
Kashmir Conflict: Indira Gandhi's government's handling of the Kashmir conflict, particularly the decision to dismiss the elected government of Jammu and Kashmir in 1984, was also a controversial move that led to criticism from opposition parties and human rights organizations.
Sanjay Gandhi's Influence: Indira Gandhi's younger son, Sanjay Gandhi, was widely believed to have wielded considerable influence over her decisions. His involvement in controversial projects, such as the demolition of slums and forced sterilization programs, led to criticism of the family's autocratic style of governance.
Overall, Indira Gandhi's political career was marked by both praise and controversy. While she is remembered as one of India's most influential political leaders, her actions and decisions continue to be debated and analyzed to this day.
Contribution to India:
Indira Gandhi's contribution to India is vast and varied. She played a crucial role in shaping India's political landscape and promoting its economic growth. During her tenure as Prime Minister, she implemented several policies aimed at reducing poverty and improving the standard of living of the people, including the nationalization of banks, abolition of princely privileges, and the introduction of the Green Revolution.
Indira Gandhi was a strong advocate for women's rights and worked towards empowering women in India. She introduced several measures to improve the status of women, including the establishment of the National Commission for Women and the introduction of laws aimed at protecting women from domestic violence and discrimination.
In the international arena, Indira Gandhi played a leading role in promoting global peace and disarmament. She was a vocal critic of the arms race and nuclear proliferation and worked towards building alliances between developing countries.
Death:
Indira Gandhi's life came to a tragic end on October 31, 1984, when she was assassinated by her own bodyguards. Her death sent shockwaves throughout the country and led to widespread riots and violence. Her assassination was believed to be in retaliation for her decision to order a military operation against Sikh militants (The Khalistan Movement in India) who had taken control of the Golden Temple in Amritsar earlier that year.
Indira Gandhi's death was a huge loss for India, and she is remembered as one of the most influential political leaders in the country's history. Her legacy continues to inspire and influence Indian politics to this day. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum in New Delhi, which houses her personal effects and documents from her political career, serves as a tribute to her life and achievements.
Picture By Prime Minister's Office - https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/former_pm/smt-indira-gandhi/, GODL-India, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122751621
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