Indira Gandhi

Date of Birth: November 19, 1917

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: October 31, 1984

Biography

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, India. She was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, and Kamala Nehru. Indira Gandhi was educated at prestigious institutions, including Visva-Bharati University in India and the University of Oxford in England. Her political career began in earnest when she became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1959. She then served as the Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. Indira Gandhi was known for her centralizing policies, her efforts to promote agricultural productivity through the Green Revolution, and her controversial decision to declare a state of emergency from 1975 to 1977. Under her leadership, India made significant strides in science and technology, including the development of a nuclear program. Despite her political achievements, her tenure was also marked by allegations of authoritarianism and human rights violations. Indira Gandhi’s legacy remains complex and multifaceted, reflecting both her significant contributions to India’s development and the controversies that surrounded her leadership.

5 Interesting Facts about Indira Gandhi

1. Indira Gandhi was the first and, to date, the only female Prime Minister of India.

2. She was named “Woman of the Millennium” in a poll by the BBC in 1999.

3. Indira Gandhi was awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1971.

4. She played a crucial role in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 by supporting the independence movement in East Pakistan.

5. Indira Gandhi’s second term ended abruptly when she was assassinated by her own bodyguards in 1984.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Indira Gandhi

1. “You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist.”

2. “The power to question is the basis of all human progress.”

3. “Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave.”

4. “Martyrdom does not end something; it is only a beginning.”

5. “There are moments in history when brooding tragedy and its dark shadows can be lightened by recalling great men of courage and vision – men who have turned defeat into victory and have turned the tide of history.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Indira Gandhi’s net worth is not well-documented, but as a public servant and a member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, she was known more for her political influence than for personal wealth.

Children

Indira Gandhi had two sons: 1. Rajiv Gandhi – He succeeded her as Prime Minister of India and served from 1984 until his assassination in 1991. 2. Sanjay Gandhi – He was a prominent politician who was expected to succeed his mother but died in a plane crash in 1980.