Indira gandhi biography in english | The First Female Prime Minister of India: Indira Gandhi

Indira Gandhi was the first and only female Prime Minister of India. She served two terms from 1966 to 1977 and from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. Gandhi played a crucial role in India's independence movement, centralizing power during her tenure, and leading the country to victory in the war with Pakistan. Despite controversy, she remains a powerful and influential figure in Indian politics. Time Stamp 00:21 🇮🇳 Indira Gandhi, the first female Prime Minister of India, served two terms from 1966 to 1977 and 1980 until her assassination in 1984. 00:43 🌍 Gandhi played a key role in India's independence movement and accompanied her father, Prime Minister Nehru, on his foreign trips. 01:32 💪 As Prime Minister, Gandhi centralized power and went to war with Pakistan, resulting in India's victory and the creation of Bangladesh. 02:08 🚫 Gandhi's controversial actions during the state of emergency from 1975 to 1977 led to the suspension of civil rights and press censorship. 02:49 🌟 Gandhi returned to power after free elections in 1980, but faced criticism for ordering military action in the Golden Temple. 03:25 💔 Tragically, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own bodyguards and Sikh nationalists on October 31, 1984. 03:46 🏆 Gandhi's influence and power were recognized globally, as she was named Women of the Millennium and one of the most powerful women of the 20th century by Time magazine. Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an Indian politician and a central figure of the Indian National Congress. She was the 3rd prime minister of India and was also the first and, to date, only female prime minister of India. Gandhi was the daughter of Jawaharlal Nehru, the 1st prime minister of India. She served as prime minister from January 1966 to March 1977 and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984, making her the second longest-serving Indian prime minister after her father. During Nehru's premiership from 1947 to 1964, Gandhi was considered a key assistant and accompanied him on his numerous foreign trips. She was elected president of the Indian National Congress in 1959. Upon her father's death in 1964, she was appointed as a member of the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and became a member of Lal Bahadur Shastri's cabinet as Minister of Information and Broadcasting. In the Congress Party's parliamentary leadership election held in early 1966 (upon the death of Shastri), she defeated her rival Morarji Desai to become leader, and thus succeeded Shastri, after his death, as Prime Minister of India. As prime minister, Gandhi was known for her political intransigency and unprecedented centralisation of power. She went to war with Pakistan in support of the independence movement and war of independence in East Pakistan, which resulted in an Indian victory and the creation of Bangladesh, as well as increasing India's influence to the point where it became the sole regional power of South Asia. 💡 Indira Gandhi's rise to power was influenced by her family background, as she was the daughter of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. This familial connection and her close association with Nehru during his premiership played a significant role in her political career. 💡 Gandhi's assertive leadership style and centralization of power during her tenure as Prime Minister were notable characteristics. This approach allowed her to implement decisions swiftly, but it also attracted criticism for eroding democratic principles. 💡 The Indo-Pakistani war of 1971, led by Gandhi, resulted in the creation of Bangladesh and significantly increased India's regional influence. This military victory established India as the dominant power in South Asia. 💡 The state of emergency imposed by Gandhi from 1975 to 1977 was a controversial period in Indian history. While it aimed to suppress separatist movements and maintain stability, it also curtailed civil rights and freedom of the press, leading to widespread criticism. 💡 Gandhi's return to power in 1980 after free and fair elections showcased her enduring popularity among the Indian electorate. However, her decision to order military action in the Golden Temple, a revered Sikh shrine, created significant controversy and strained relations with the Sikh community. 💡 The assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984 shocked the nation and highlighted the dangers faced by political leaders. Her assassination by her own bodyguards, who were Sikh nationalists seeking revenge for the Golden Temple incident, had far-reaching implications for Indian politics and communal harmony. 💡 Indira Gandhi's influence and legacy extended beyond India. Being recognized as Women of the Millennium and one of the most powerful women of the 20th century by Time magazine demonstrates the impact she had on global politics and the women's empowerment movement.