New Delhi: On November 19, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 107th birth anniversary. In a post on his official social media account, X, PM Modi expressed his respect, stating, “Tributes to our former Prime Minister, Smt. Indira Gandhi Ji on her birth anniversary.”
Indira Gandhi, born on November 19, 1917, to India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru, remains a towering figure in Indian politics. She served as India’s third Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination on October 31, 1984. Indira Gandhi is notable for being the first and only woman Prime Minister of India, and her legacy continues to influence the Congress party and Indian governance.
With a total tenure of 15 years and 350 days, Indira Gandhi is the second-longest-serving Prime Minister in Indian history, following her father, Jawaharlal Nehru. She is recognized for her significant economic and social reforms, including the nationalization of banks and the abolition of privy purses for former princely states.
On her birth anniversary, the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development for 2023 was awarded to classical pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, along with Palestinian peace activist Ali Abu Awwad. The award was presented to Barenboim for his contributions to fostering peace through musical and cultural dialogue, while Awwad was honored for his advocacy for dialogue through his organization, Roots.
Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also paid tribute to his grandmother at Shakti Sthal. Sharing childhood photos with Indira Gandhi, he wrote on X, “Grandma was an example of both courage and love. It is from her that I have learnt that the real strength is to fearlessly walk on the path of national interest. Her memories are my strength, which always shows me the way.”
Indira Gandhi, revered as one of the tallest leaders in the world, was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards on October 31, 1984, following Operation Bluestar, which involved military action against Sikh separatists at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Her assassination marked a tragic moment in Indian history and left an indelible mark on the nation’s political landscape.
