Indira Gandhi –the only and first female Prime Minister of India so far was born on 19th November 1917. She was the 3rdPrime Minister of India from 1980 to 1984. She was the daughter of India first Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. The only daughter of her parents i.e. Indira Gandhi also known as “Iron lady of India”. She was introduced in the Indian politics post-independence. Unofficially, she served as Personal Assistant (PA) of her father when he was the leader of the nation.
She is widely known across the world for her bold decisions especially during the time of emergency from 1975 to 1977. Her role in Indian Politics is unforgettable and contribution to the political and social spectrum of the country is still influencing today’s leaders. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguard in the year 1984. There are a number of interesting facts about this charismatic leader. Here is the list of top 10 interesting and quick facts about her.
10. Burnt her favorite dolls at the age of 5
Indira Gandhi-the Iron Lady of India is known as the revolutionary leader from her childhood days. Her father participated in a number of movements at that time and revolutionary nature comes in her blood while seeing this at home. Once she burnt her favorite doll when she came to know that the dolls were made in England and the same Britishers ruling our country. She was just 5 years old during this incident.
9. Close association of her father with Mahatma Gandhi
Jawahar Lal Nehru had a very deep and close association with Father of Nation – Mahatma Gandhi during the independence movement. She was so much influenced with this that she ended her name from Indira Nehru to Gandhi as her last name and proudly known as Indira Gandhi.
8. Worked to decrease birth rate in India
Indira Gandhi took multiple steps during her tenure as Prime Minister of the nation to decrease the birth rate in the country. She wanted India to grow, develop and prosper like other developed nations of the world and this was only possible with the limited population. She was gained huge popularity at that time for this step. She gave targets for sterilization to its concerned officials.
7. Fight Between Indira Gandhi and Maneka Gandhi
Maneka Gandhi was daughter in law of Indira Gandhi and married to her older son Sanjay Gandhi. They both were having one son named Varun Gandhi. There were several subjects where there was disagreement between and Maneka and Indira Gandhi. The fight was so serious that Maneka Gandhi was instructed to leave her house as soon as possible. Maneka was very shocked with this incident and said that she is not able to understand the reason for this type of behavior with me as I have not done anything wrong. Moreover, I am more loyal towards my mother-in-law as compared towards my mother.
6. Close Friendship with Margaret Thatcher – Former Prime Minister of Britain
Indira Gandhi had the close friendship with former British Prime Minister and another Iron lady of her nation Margaret Thatcher. She was so much attached to Indira Gandhi that she sent a heart touching letter to his son Rajiv Gandhi after her assassination. She mentioned that she was very shocked and sad with this incident and felt like she lost one of her family members. Indira Gandhi was not only known as the great statesman but also as the caring and warm lady.
5. Debatable Figure
The Iron lady of India was a debatable and controversial figure due to a couple of her statement and steps taking during her tenure. Till today, she was considered to be responsible for Indira declaration of the state of Emergency for the first time in India.
4. Attack on Golden Temple
The first lady Prime Minister of India criticized worldwide for her involvement and interference in Golden temple issue. She ordered the Indian army team at that time to enter into the Golden Temple and take the strict action. The Sikh community was so much pissed by her decision that later she was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguard.
3. Indira Gandhi assassination
After the incident of Golden Temple where she ordered Indian army to enter inside, Sikh community was against her. For her controversial step and decision, she was killed by her own Sikh bodyguards on 31st October 1984. The bodyguards were Satwant Singh and Beant Singh.
2. Cremated near Raj Ghat, Delhi
Indira Gandhi after her assassination cremated near the Raj Ghat in Delhi on 3rd November 1984. Her cremation spot is known as Shakti Sthal.
1. Strong supporter of Palestine
This iron lady of India was known as the strong supporter of Palestine. She was also actively involved in the Middle East policy formulation by the United States.
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