Indira Gandhi
Essay No. 01
Indira Gandhi was one of the most influential leaders of India. She was a woman of guts and strong willpower and was called the Iron-lady of India. Herlife was full of struggle and tribulations, but she crossed all the obstacles of life courageously.
Indira Gandhi was horn as India Priyadarshini on 19 November, 1917, amidst the luxurious surroundings of `Anand Bhawan’ in Allahabad.
She possessed leadership qualities from her very childhood. She would give powerful speeches in front of servants of the house.
In the year 1926, her mother Kamla Nehru fell seriously sick. She was taken, to Europe for treatment. Indira also went along with her mother. During her stay in Europe she felt homesick and therefore gained more knowledge about the freedom movements in her country.
After coming hack to India she formed a children’s army called `VanarSena’ and instigated the spirit of patriotism amongst the children.
Indira’s father Jawaharlal Nehru had great influence on her. He would write knowledge full letters from the jail to his daughter to make her tread on the righteous path of life.
Initially Indira was sent to a school named ‘Pupils on School’. Indira was a master of all trades from her very childhood. She was an active participant of. dance and dramas, debates and extempore, games and sports: She was an excellent sports person, actor and public motivator.
After the completion of her three years of education in this English Medium school, she got admission in RabindraNath Tagore’s `Shanti Niketan’.
Over here she won the admiration of all the teachers including Tagore. Tagore wrote to Jawaharlal Nehru that his daughter has imbibed the same vigour and vitality as him. He attributed that she has gained popularity due to her qualities among the students and teachers. Indira got married in the year 1942 to Mr. Feroze Gandhi and thus became Indira Gandhi.
In 1960, Feroze Gandhi died due to heart attack.
On 27 May, 1964, the adorable leader of the nation, Jawaharlal Nehru died, leaving the entire nation grieved at his death.
In the year 1966, Indira Gandhi was appointed as the first woman Prime-Minister of India after the death of Lai Bahadur Shastri.
Indira Gandhi faced many harsh realities in her life, including the death of her beloved son Sanjay Gandhi, who died in an air-crash. Mrs. Gandhi controlled her grief and again rose up to work for the welfare of the people of her nation.
Finally, Mrs. Indira Gandhi proceeded for her heavenly abode on 31 October 1984. She was killed by her own security guards.
Indira Gandhi was ‘a valiant leader of the country. She didn’t fear death, but wanted to die the death of the martyr, and her wish was fulfilled.
She lived for her nation and died for her nation. The whole nation is grateful to this selfless woman, who served her nation till her last breath.
Essay No. 02
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was born to Jawaharlal and Kamala Nehru in 1917. They named her Indira and gave her a second name as well—Priyadarshini, which means “dear or beloved”.
Indira grew up in an atmosphere where patriots were fighting to free their country. She came in close contact with Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel, Jinnah and many others who had joined the Indian National Congress, India’s leading political party.
Several times during the struggle for freedom, Indira’s parents were imprisoned. Her father, Nehru spent almost ten years in jail. Indira’s education was in Switzerland at the International School, and later at Visva Bharti University, in East India. The university was founded by Rabindranath Tagore, the famous painter, musician, poet and playwright. In 1938, while studying at Somerville College, Oxford, she realised what freedom meant. How she longed to join the freedom fighters who wanted to end the British rule in India!
Indira married Feroze Gandhi in March 1942, and had two sons, Rajiv Gandhi, who later became the Prime Minister, and Sanjay Gandhi, who also played an important role in politics.
This brave, dauntless, Prime Minister was shot brutally on the morning of 31 October, 1984. She was sixty-six years old. She died as she would have wanted to – active and serving her country. She will always be remembered for her courage and outstanding contribution to our nation.
Essay No. 03
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917 at Anand Bhawan in Allahabad. She had her education in India and Europe. And she had her political training under her father Shri Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi.
She became the first woman Prime Minister of India in 1966 and was re-elected later in 1971 and 1980. She has been addressed variously by different people like “The Charming Ruthless Lady”: “The Most Powerful Lady in the World” etc.
She proved to be a strong Prime Minister and as the Congress President whenever there was any trouble inside the Party she overcame it with iron hand.
During her Prime Minister ship, she solved many difficult problems both at home and abroad. She also nationalised 14 major banks and her leadership we defeated Pakistan in the In Pak War. India no doubt progressed by leaps bounds under her able leadership.
She was a very courageous, fearless and brave lady and she always thought for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden. She worked for the betterment of India and its people. It was she who brought Green Revolution in our country.
Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own security guards on 31st October, 1984.
Essay No. 04
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917 and was the only child of Jawaharlal and Kamala Nehru. Being influenced and inspired by her parents, Indira Gandhi rose to power in India and eventually became the first lady prime minister of India. She dedicated her life to progress in her country despite the overwhelming problems and challenges she encountered.
Her road to power and politics started when she turned twelve years of age. During the time of British imperialism, many Indian National Congress workers from Allahabad did not know when or if the British would arrest them or search their homes. In order to find out when this would occur, the Monkey Brigade was formed. Although Indira claimed to have thought of the idea, some asserted that the Monkey Brigade was the idea of the Congress. In any event, Indira became the leader of this children’s group whose purpose was to help end British control in India. Being its leader, she delivered speeches while other children actually warned the people who were going to be arrested. The Congress figured that the British would not suspect children of participating in such involvement.
In 1938, Indira finally joined the Indian National Congress Party, something she always longed to do. Soon afterwards in 1942, she married journalist Feroze Gandhi to whom she eventually bore two sons. Soon after the couple was married, they were sent to prison on charges of subversion by the British. Her first and only imprisonment lasted from September 11, 1942 until May 13, 1943 at the Naini Central Jail in Allahabad.
Fortunately, India won its independence from Britain in 1947. In that same year, Indira’s father Jawaharlal Nehru became prime minister. Since her mother had died in 1936, Indira acted as hostess and confidante and traveled with Nehru to meet famous political figures. Later in 1959, Gandhi became the fourth woman elected president of the Indian National Congress. Five years later in 1964. the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri appointed Indira Gandhi as minister of information and broadcasting, This position was the fourth highest ranking position in the Cabinet. Many Indians were illiterate. Therefore, radio and television played a major part in informing them. As minister, she most importantly encouraged the making of inexpensive radios and started a family planning program.
After Shastri’s death in 1966, Indira Gandhi served as prime minister until India held the next election. She won that election, and in 1967, became the first woman ever elected to lead a democracy. In 1971, Gandhi was re-elected by campaigning with the slogan “Abolish Poverty.” However in 1975, Gandhi was found guilty of violating election laws. Later, the conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court of India. Also, to control population growth, Gandhi implemented a voluntary sterilization program. As a result, adversaries criticized her and her administration in general. To secure her power and because of escalating riots, on June 26, 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency which limited the personal freedom of Indians. Also, she ordered the arrests of the main opposition leaders. In her opinion, she declared an emergency for the good of India. In 1977, she was voted out of office but regained her position as prime minister in 1980.
Unfortunately on October 31, 1984, Indira Gandhi’s Sikh bodyguards assassinated her. They did so to avenge the storming of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Gandhi ordered the storming in June because of terrorist activity. As prime minister, Gandhi tried to improve the lives of Indians. Her main accomplishments were improving relations with the Soviet Union and victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Also in 1971, India sent its first satellite into space. Economically, Indira Gandhi led India to one of the fastest growing economies in the world toward the end of her time as prime minister. She was indeed the new face of powerful women in India.
