Smt. Indira Gandhi


"Jab Tak Suraj Chand Rahega, Indira Tera Nam 

Rahega" Or "Every drop of my blood will contribute to

the growth of the nation." 


Mrs. Indira Gandhi was the first woman Prime Minister of India. She was the only child of her parents, Jawahar Lal Nehru and Kamla Nehru. She was born on 19th November 1917 at Anand Bhawan, in Allahabad. She was the very favorite leader. Nehru's family was engaged in the freedom movement. Her mother Smt. Kamla Nehru died leaving her in Nehru's care. Indira grew with the growth of India's freedom movement. She started her studies at Allahabad. She received her early education in India and Switzerland. Later on, she studied Oxford and Shanti Niketan. She studied from and lived in the close company of Rabindra Nath Tagore had a powerful impact on her mind and personality. She worked under the affectionate guidance of Gandhi Ji, Moti Lal Nehru, Tagore, and other great leaders and patriots.

In her early, she became an active worker of the Indian National Congress. Living under the influence of her father, she learned to stand against evil fearlessly. She started feeling strongly about the slavery of her motherland. She took part in all national movements and went to jail again and again. She also participated in the 'Quit India Movement'.

In 1959, she was made the President of the Indian National Congress. She married Feroze Gandhi and had two sons, Rajiv and Sanjay. She could not pull on well in her married life. She started living with her father. Since her father was the Prime Minister. She was always aware of the national and internal scene. Her personality developed under these conditions. Pt. Jawahar Lal passed away on 27th May 1964.

She was inducted as Minister for information and broadcasting in 1964. Later on when Sh. Lal Bahadur, the then Prime Minister passed away, she was unanimously elected as the Prime Minister. She made a number of major reforms. Her performance was praiseworthy, but she lost her election case filed by her rival Sh. Raj Narayan and her election declared invalid on technical grounds. To save the country from chaos due to political parties, she imposed emergency in 1975. It resulted in that she and her party lost elections in 1977.

The Government that was formed did not last long. She came back to power in 1980. She organized Asian Games in 1982. International meets like NAM, CHOGAM was organized in India. She won India's highest award Bharat Ratna in December 1971. There were a great many achievements during her period especially in space and communication and broadcasting and television. She was a symbol of unity, culture and rich heritage. But alas! she fell prey to the bullets of her own security guards on 31st October 1984. She will be remembered for the cause. She stood for. May she rest in peace.