Indira In Her Own Words

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A pensive Indira Gandhi. Image: Public domain
Indira Gandhi survived harsh political realities to become India's first woman prime minister. We look at the legacy she left.

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, Gandhi, Mahatma,
A young Indira Gandhi with Mahatma Gandhi. Image: 7MB

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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