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Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (Hindi: [ˈɪndɪɾɑː ˈɡɑːndʱi] ⓘ; née Indira Nehru; 19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an influential Indian politician and stateswoman who served as the third Prime Minister of India. Her terms in office spanned from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She holds the distinction of being India's first and, to date, only female prime minister and was a central figure in Indian politics as the leader of the Indian National Congress (INC). Indira Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, and the mother of Rajiv Gandhi, who later became the country's sixth prime minister. Her cumulative tenure of 15 years and 350 days makes her the second-longest-serving Indian prime minister after her father. Henry Kissinger famously referred to her as an "Iron Lady," a nickname that highlighted her formidable personality.

During her father's tenure as prime minister from 1947 to 1964, Indira Gandhi acted as his hostess and accompanied him on numerous foreign trips. In 1959, she played a significant role in the dissolution of the communist-led Kerala state government while serving as the president of the Indian National Congress, a position she had been elected to earlier that year. When Lal Bahadur Shastri succeeded Nehru as prime minister in 1964, he appointed her as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. That same year, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.

Indira Gandhi was born into a politically active family in Allahabad. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a central figure in the Indian independence movement and later became the first Prime Minister of India. Her mother, Kamala Nehru, was also involved in the independence struggle. Growing up in such an environment, Indira was exposed to the political and social issues of the time from a young age. She attended a number of schools, including the Modern School in Delhi, St. Cecilia's and St Mary's Christian Convent Schools in Allahabad, and the International School of Geneva in Switzerland.

Indira Gandhi pursued higher education at Visva-Bharati University in West Bengal and later at the University of Oxford in England. However, her studies were interrupted due to the deteriorating health of her mother and the ongoing struggle for India's independence. Despite not completing a formal degree, her time at Oxford and her upbringing under the guidance of her father and other prominent leaders deeply influenced her intellectual and political development. Indira's early exposure to the complexities of colonial rule and the fight for independence instilled in her a strong sense of nationalism and a commitment to public service.

Indira Gandhi's political career began in earnest in the 1950s when she served as her father's personal assistant and hostess. After Nehru's death in 1964, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of India's Parliament) and was appointed as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in Lal Bahadur Shastri's government. Following Shastri's sudden death in 1966, Indira Gandhi was chosen as the Prime Minister, a position she held until 1977 and then again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.

During her tenure, Gandhi implemented significant economic and social reforms. The Green Revolution, which introduced high-yielding varieties of seeds and expanded the use of fertilizers and irrigation, transformed India from a food-deficient nation to a food surplus one. She also nationalized major banks in 1969, aiming to extend banking services to rural areas and promote economic equality. Her tenure was marked by a strong centralization of power, and she often bypassed party bureaucracy and state governments to implement her policies.

The most controversial period of her career was the Emergency from 1975 to 1977, during which civil liberties were suspended, and political opponents were imprisoned. This period was marked by widespread human rights violations and censorship. Although she justified the Emergency as necessary to maintain law and order and implement progressive reforms, it severely damaged her political standing. In the 1977 general elections, her party was defeated, and she was briefly out of power. However, she returned to office in 1980 after a landslide victory.

Indira Gandhi's legacy is a subject of intense debate. She is credited with making significant strides in agricultural productivity through the Green Revolution and expanding India's industrial base. Her efforts to nationalize banks and promote economic self-reliance laid the groundwork for India's future economic policies. Her leadership during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh, is also seen as a major foreign policy achievement.

However, her authoritarian tendencies, particularly during the Emergency, have left a lasting scar on Indian democracy. The suspension of civil liberties and the centralization of power are viewed as dark chapters in India's democratic history. Despite this, she remains a revered figure for many who admire her strong leadership and vision for India's development.

Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984 by her Sikh bodyguards, following the controversial Operation Blue Star (a military action against Sikh militants in the Golden Temple), led to widespread anti-Sikh riots and marked a tragic end to her political journey. Her legacy continues to influence Indian politics, with her family remaining active in the Indian National Congress party.

1. "Rahul first in three generations with a world university degree". The Tribune. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2015.
2. Himmat. R. M. Lala. 1979. p. 8. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023. Few cast so low, so ignominiously, have the courage and belief to return. Mrs Gandhi is the real iron lady.
3. Asian Studies. Institute of Asian Studies, University of the Philippines. 1982. p. 82. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023. Indira Gandhi, is "charismatic" and tough. She is described as an "iron lady".
4. Sharma, R.A. (1988). Indira Gandhi and Congress Party. Northern Book Centre. p. 190. ISBN 978-81-85119-44-1. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023. Henry A. Kissinger had described her as an "iron lady" and her personality as "charismatic" and tough.
5. Brahma Chellaney (2006). Asian Juggernaut: The Rise of China, India, and Japan. HarperCollins. p. 195. ISBN 9788172236502. Indeed, Beijing's acknowledgement of Indian control over Sikkim seems limited to the purpose of facilitating trade through the vertiginous Nathu-la Pass, the scene of bloody artillery duels in September 1967 when Indian troops beat back attacking Chinese forces.