Indira

Women In leadership : Breaking Barriers Over Time INDIRA GANDHI

By sakshipatel

  • Early Life & Education , Political Rise

    November 19, 1917: Born in Allahabad, India, to Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru.
    1934-1935: Studied at Visva-Bharati University in Shantiniketan.
    1937-1941: Attended Somerville College, Oxford, but returned to India due to World War II. 1947: India gains independence; Indira assists her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, who becomes the first Prime Minister of India.
    1959: Becomes President of the Indian National Congress.

  • First Term as Prime Minister (1966-1977)

    1966: Becomes India's first female Prime Minister after Lal Bahadur Shastri's death.
    1971: Leads India in the Bangladesh Liberation War, resulting in the creation of Bangladesh.
    1974: Conducts India's first nuclear test (Smiling Buddha).
    1975-1977: Declares Emergency, suspending civil liberties and ruling by decree.

  • Political Comeback & Assassination

    1980: Returns to power as Prime Minister after winning elections.
    1984: Orders Operation Blue Star to remove militants from the Golden Temple, angering Sikh separatists.
    October 31, 1984: Assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for Operation Blue Star.

  • Impact on Society & Women’s Leadership

    Economic and Social Reformsrograms helped the underprivileged.
    The Green Revolution secured India's food supply and reduced economic disparity.
    A Complex Legacy.
    Her tenure saw economic growth and strategic advancements but also criticism for authoritarian rule during the Emergency.
    Remains a symbol of strong leadership, determination, and resilience in Indian history.
    Maintained a non-aligned foreign policy during the Cold War.

  • Leadership Roles & Achievements

    1. Emergency Rule (1975-1977) Declared a state of Emergency, citing internal instability. Suspended civil liberties, leading to criticism but also implementing economic and social reforms.
    2. Green Revolution (1967-1978) Implemented agricultural policies that increased food production
    3. Pokhran Nuclear Test (1974) Made India a nuclear-capable nation through the first successful nuclear test (Operation Smiling Buddha). Enhanced India's defense and global strategic positioning.