Indira Gandhi Jayanti 2023 - Sunday, November 19

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917 and was the third Prime Minister of India. Only child of the Nehru couple, she completed her schooling she joined Shantiniketan. She also went to Somerville College, Oxford. She married journalist Feroz Gandhi in 1942. The couple had two sons Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi. She had been Minister for Information and Broadcasting (1964- 1966). After the death of then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in 1966,  the Congress Parliamentary Party elected Indira Gandhi as the Prime Minister of India. She remained at the office from January 1966 to March 1977. After a break owing to internal disturbances and proclamation of emergency, she was back with thumping majority and remained the Prime Minister of India from January 14, 1980 till her assassination on October 31, 1984, by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation to have operated the Operation Blue Star. She was cremated near Raj Ghat. Her funeral was televised live on national and international stations, including BBC.

Indira Gandhi was a prominent figure in Indian National Congress. She is also known for her dedicated efforts towards the nation by introducing new economic policies and promoting agricultural productivity, which helped in improving the economy of the country. She judiciously handled the crucial situation in the country at the time of Indo Pak war of 1971 and also decided about the separate country of Bangladesh.

She is also credited with other important decisions like starting of National Nuclear Program in 1967, Intense Agricultural District Program or Green Revolution, White Revolution, Nationalization of banks etc. Thus, this iron lady was one of the pioneers who had dreamt of India as an independent strong nation. “Garibi Hatao” was the theme for Gandhi’s 1971 bid. The program created through “Garibi Hatao” were developed and funded by the Indian National Congress. Through the call she not only won the election but also improved party prospects from 47 seats in 1967 to 73 in 1971.

The celebration of this day is mostly seen among the political parties, especially the Congress party. The Gandhi scions and other eminent politicians offer tribute at the memorial of Indira Gandhi, on her birth anniversary in New Delhi every year. Folk artists also perform on the day which is telecasted live on the national channel. Her endeavor towards the nation’s progress is unparalleled.

Pay tribute to Indira Gandhi at tributes.in


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