Indira Gandhi

The third Prime Minister (1966-1977 & 1980-1984) of India, Indira Gandhi, was the daughter of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

She was India's first female Prime Minister and served for 15 years until her assassination in 1984.

"You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist."

Why is she important?

Born in 1917, Indira Gandhi grew up in a political atmosphere, and was active with her father's efforts in the nationalist movement for India's independence from Britain; which achieved in 1947.

As a child, she is said to have even burned her own doll because it was made in England.

When she was twelve she lead the Vanar Sena (Monkey Brigade) with over 70,000 young revolutionaries who did everything possible to support the nationalist movement. They did everything from making flags to putting up advertisements for public demonstrations.

Even in marriage in 1942, Indira Gandhi was setting the stage to be a maverick of her time. She married Feroze Gandhi, a Parsi. However, Indira Gandhi was Hindu. Mixed marriages were not common at the time, and the fact that the marriage was not arranged was very taboo.

The marriage caused such a spectacle and backlash from the public that Mahatma Gandhi (a family friend of Indira Gandhi and with no relation) had to issue a public statement requesting that the public dismiss their unease and vocal distaste of the union for blessings instead.

As Prime Minister, she led a newly independent India into self sufficiency. Through the Green Revolution, India became independent for grains.

In 1971, Pakistani conflict erupted and she was vocal of her support of the Bengali movement to separate East Pakistan from the West, and create an independent Bangladesh. India then provided much needed refuge to over 10 million Pakistani citizens; which thinned Indian resources and became politically "complicated" with the United States. However, U.S. war with India was avoided with Pakistan's surrender.

"There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there."

An Imperfect Leader

When Indira was found guilty of electoral malpractice, she declared a state of emergency rule.
Freedoms were limited, opponents imprisoned, the press censored, and millions were sterilized in the face of over population. When she finally ended her undemocratic emergency rule she lost re-election in fear of her sterilization policy; which was used to sterilize 7.8 million men.

"People tend to forget their duties but remember their rights."

Still an Inspiration

Despite her shortcomings, and marriage that was filled with her husband's illicit affairs. She is still held as one of history's most influential female political leaders. Why is this? She practically declared a dictatorship when she faced being kicked out of office for malpractice, and sterilized 7.8 million boys and men within India without any form of consent....

However, for the time her actions and political power were revolutionary. A friend to Margaret Thatcher and Mahatma Gandhi, a saint to Pakistani refugees in their fight for freedom, and the ruler of an independent India with a firm hand following her father made Indira Gandhi a forced to be reckoned with. She will still be remembered and honored for the incredible work she has done and for pioneering a way for strong female political leaders in the future.

We will hold lessons to be learned from her both empathetic and controversial actions throughout her political career as India's first female Prime Minister.

​-SP

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Works Cited:
https://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/History/Independent/Indira.html
http://www.history.com/topics/indira-gandhi
http://www.biographyonline.net/politicians/indian/indira-gandhi.html
​http://www.biography.com/people/indira-gandhi-9305913
http://www.biography.com/news/indira-gandhi-biography-facts

​Images Provided By:
http://www.conservapedia.com/Indira_Gandhi
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Indira-Gandhi
http://www.gyaaninfo.com/indira-gandhi/