The history of Indiara Nehru Gandhi
Indira Gandhi (1917-1984) was an Indian politician and the first female Prime Minister of India, serving from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. She was the daughter of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and played a key role in the Indian National Congress party throughout her political career.
During her tenure as Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi implemented a number of social and economic policies aimed at reducing poverty and promoting development in India, including the nationalization of banks and other industries, and the expansion of rural development programs. She also oversaw the successful military campaign against Pakistan in 1971 that led to the creation of Bangladesh.
However, her second term as Prime Minister was marked by increasing authoritarianism and suppression of political opposition, including the declaration of a state of emergency in 1975 and the suspension of civil liberties. Her government's controversial policies, including forced sterilization as a means of population control, also attracted criticism.
Despite her controversial legacy, Indira Gandhi remains a revered figure in Indian politics and is remembered for her contributions to India's development and her efforts to promote social justice and equality.
Childhood of Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, India, to Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement and later became the first Prime Minister of India.
Indira Gandhi grew up in a politically active family and was exposed to the ideals of Indian independence and nationalism from a young age. She attended a number of schools in India and Europe, including the International School of Geneva, and was fluent in English, Hindi, and Urdu.
Her mother, Kamala Nehru, was an active member of the Indian independence movement and played a significant role in shaping Indira Gandhi's political beliefs and values. Kamala Nehru's early death in 1936 had a profound impact on Indira Gandhi and led her to become more involved in politics and social activism.
Indira Gandhi's childhood was marked by a strong sense of political activism and a commitment to social justice and equality, which would later shape her political career as Prime Minister of India.
Studies of Indira Gandhi
After her mother's death in 1936, Indira Gandhi became more involved in politics and social activism, and she began to work closely with her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, who was a leading figure in the Indian independence movement. She assisted her father in his political work and served as his personal assistant during his tenure as Prime Minister.
Despite her involvement in politics, Indira Gandhi pursued higher education and obtained a degree in history from the University of Delhi in 1938. She later studied at the University of Oxford in England, where she attended Somerville College and earned a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics in 1942.
Indira Gandhi's studies at Oxford exposed her to a range of political and social ideologies and helped shape her political beliefs and values. She was particularly influenced by the ideas of socialism and democratic governance, which would later inform her policies and political decisions as Prime Minister of India.
Emergency in India
In 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency in India, suspending civil liberties and granting herself extraordinary powers as Prime Minister. The emergency lasted for 21 months, until 1977, and was marked by widespread political repression, censorship, and the suspension of democratic rights.
Gandhi's decision to impose the emergency was largely motivated by political unrest and opposition to her government's policies, including protests by student groups, trade unions, and opposition political parties. The emergency allowed her government to arrest and detain thousands of political opponents without trial, and to censor the press and media.
The emergency was also marked by controversial policies such as forced sterilization as a means of population control, which drew criticism from human rights groups and civil society organizations. The government also implemented a number of economic reforms during the emergency, including the nationalization of banks and other industries.
The emergency was widely criticized for its suppression of civil liberties and democratic rights, and is considered a dark period in India's political history. However, it also led to the emergence of new political forces and social movements, and paved the way for the restoration of democracy in India. In the 1977 general elections, the Indian National Congress, led by Indira Gandhi, was defeated by the opposition Janata Party, leading to the end of the emergency and the restoration of democratic rights and freedoms.
Indira Gandhi personnel life
Indira Gandhi's personal life was marked by tragedy and challenges, as well as moments of joy and triumph. She was married to Feroze Gandhi, a journalist and politician, from 1942 until his death in 1960. The couple had two sons, Rajiv and Sanjay.
Indira Gandhi's relationship with her sons was complex, and both of them played significant roles in Indian politics. Rajiv Gandhi served as Prime Minister of India from 1984 until 1989, when he was assassinated, while Sanjay Gandhi was a controversial figure who played a key role in his mother's government during the emergency.
Indira Gandhi's personal life was also marked by political challenges and controversies. She faced opposition and criticism from within her own party and from opposition parties, and was the target of several assassination attempts. In 1984, she was assassinated by two of her bodyguards in retaliation for her decision to launch a military operation against Sikh separatists in the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Despite the challenges and controversies she faced, Indira Gandhi remained a powerful and influential figure in Indian politics, and is remembered for her contributions to India's development and her efforts to promote social justice and equality.
Death of Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by two of her bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, at her residence in New Delhi, India. The assassination was carried out in retaliation for her decision to order the Indian Army to launch a military operation against Sikh militants who had taken control of the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion, in Amritsar.
The assassination of Indira Gandhi triggered a wave of violence and unrest in India, particularly in the state of Punjab, where Sikhs were targeted in riots and mob violence. The government of India declared a state of emergency and launched a crackdown on Sikh militants and separatist groups.
Following Indira Gandhi's assassination, her son Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of India. He continued his mother's policies and programs, and led the Indian National Congress to a landslide victory in the 1984 general elections.
The assassination of Indira Gandhi remains a deeply traumatic event in Indian history, and is widely regarded as a turning point in the country's politics and society. It exposed deep fault lines and tensions within Indian society, particularly between the Sikh community and the majority Hindu population, and highlighted the challenges of maintaining social harmony and unity in a diverse and complex country like India.
M O MATHAI Role in Nehru's Government
M.O. Mathai was a civil servant who served in the Indian Prime Minister's Office (PMO) during Jawaharlal Nehru's tenure as Prime Minister of India. Mathai was appointed as Nehru's personal assistant in 1946 and he continued to work with Nehru until 1959.
Mathai played an important role in Nehru's government as his personal assistant and advisor. He was involved in various aspects of government work, including policy formulation, administrative matters, and correspondence. He had access to confidential information and was trusted by Nehru to handle important tasks.
In his memoirs, Mathai claimed that he had a close personal relationship with Nehru and was privy to some of his private and personal affairs. However, these claims have been disputed and criticized by many, including Nehru's family members and biographers.
Mathai resigned from his post in 1959, reportedly due to differences with Nehru over certain matters. After leaving the government, he wrote several books, including a controversial memoir titled "Reminiscences of the Nehru Age", in which he made several sensational claims about Nehru and his family.
Overall, Mathai's role in Nehru's government as his personal assistant was significant, and he played an important role in various aspects of government work. However, his controversial claims and actions after leaving the government have led to a mixed legacy and controversy surrounding his role in Nehru's government.
Reminiscences Of Nehru Age - M.O.Mathai
"Reminiscences of the Nehru Age" is a book written by M.O. Mathai, who served as the Personal Assistant (PA) to the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, from 1946 to 1959. The book, which was first published in 1978, is a memoir of Mathai's experiences working with Nehru and his family, as well as his observations about the political and social climate of India during Nehru's time as Prime Minister.
The book created a significant controversy when it was first published, as it contained many sensational claims and allegations about Nehru and his family. Mathai claimed to have had a close personal relationship with Nehru and to have been privy to his personal affairs. He made several controversial claims, including allegations of Nehru's extramarital affairs and his alleged interest in a female diplomat.
Mathai's claims have been heavily criticized and disputed by many, including members of Nehru's family, historians, and biographers. They have been accused of being salacious and without credible evidence. Some have also accused Mathai of writing the book as an act of revenge against Nehru and his family, as he had reportedly fallen out of favor with Nehru towards the end of his tenure as his personal assistant.
Despite the controversy surrounding the book, "Reminiscences of the Nehru Age" remains a significant work in the field of Indian political memoirs. It offers a unique perspective on the personal and political life of one of India's most influential leaders, albeit one that has been disputed and criticized by many.
GREAT DECISSIONS OF INDIRA GANDHI
Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. During her tenure, she made several significant decisions that had a lasting impact on India's political and social landscape. Some of her great decisions include:
1. Nationalization of Banks: In 1969, Indira Gandhi nationalized 14 major private banks in India, bringing them under the control of the government. This move aimed to promote greater social welfare and economic development in India by ensuring that banks served the interests of the public.
2. Green Revolution: In the 1960s and 1970s, Indira Gandhi launched the Green Revolution, a program that aimed to increase agricultural productivity in India by promoting the use of modern technology and methods. This initiative helped India achieve self-sufficiency in food production and boosted the country's economy.
3. Bangladesh Liberation War: In 1971, Indira Gandhi played a key role in supporting the independence movement in East Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. She sent Indian troops to intervene in the conflict, and their success in helping to secure Bangladesh's independence bolstered India's international standing.
4. Nuclear Test: In 1974, Indira Gandhi authorized India's first nuclear test, codenamed "Smiling Buddha." This decision demonstrated India's commitment to becoming a nuclear power and was seen as a significant milestone in the country's military and technological development.
5. Emergency: In 1975, Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency, suspending civil liberties and rounding up opposition leaders and activists. This move was controversial and attracted criticism from many, but it was also seen as a bold attempt to tackle corruption and promote stability in India.
Indira Gandhi's decisions during her time as Prime Minister of India had a significant impact on the country's political, economic, and social development. While some of her decisions were controversial and attracted criticism, others were widely hailed as great successes and helped to shape India's future trajectory.
