Born in 1917, Indira Priyadarshini was referred to as ‘a child of revolution’ by her father Jawaharlal Nehru. Brought up in a tumultuous era of Indian nationalism, she was destined for a life in politics.
Indira, a shy, reclusive girl, called ‘Ghungi Gudiya’ (dumb doll) by her opponents, went on to become the Prime Minister of the world’s largest democracy and a leader in global politics.
My public life started at the age of three. I have no recollection of playing with other children. My favourite occupation as a child was to deliver thunderous speeches to the servants while standing on a high table. All my games were political ones. I was like Joan of Arc, perpetually being burned at the stake.
She presided over some of the most controversial policies and historic moments since India’s independence; the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, India’s first nuclear tests in Pokhran, the one-family-one-child policy, the declaration of Emergency, the re-organisation of the state of Punjab and Operation Blue Star among others. She came to be known as a ruthless politician who wrested control of her party and centralised power.
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