Remembering Indira Gandhi: The Trailblazer Who Reshaped India

Today marks the birthday of Mrs.Indira Gandhi, a trailblazer who reshaped India's geography and redefined economics. Her remarkable achievements include facilitating the creation of Bangladesh, merging Sikkim as India's newest state, nationalizing coal mines and commercial banks, and abolishing privy purses for monarchs.

Mrs Indira Gandhi arrived patna to attend the birth centenary celebrations of Raja Ram Mohan Ray at the Botanical Garden, now known as Sanjay Gandhi Zoo, near Raj Bhawan. Mahendra Pratap, her classmate from the UK and then Vice-Chancellor of Patna University, was among those who received her at the airport.

During the 1977 Lok Sabha election campaign, Mrs.Indira Gandhi addressed a hostile audience from the stage opposite the BISCOMAN building. The event took a dramatic turn when tomatoes and eggs were hurled from the southern end, near Maurya Hotel, prompting her to leave in frustration.

At a press conference at Raj Bhawan, reporters asked Mrs. Indira Gandhi how many seats the Congress would win (54 me se kitne siten Congress ko milengi). Before she could respond, the PCC chief,Sitaram Kesri interjected, saying "pachas" (50). Mrs. Indira Gandhi was visibly furious, remarking to Kesri ji, "Abhi aapne Gandhi Maidan me dekha ande phenke gaye, phir bhi pachas" (You saw eggs being thrown at Gandhi Maidan, yet you say 50?). She then tossed aside the plate of snacks.

In 1982, Mrs. Indira Gandhi visited Gujarat to survey the devastation caused by a super cyclone in Saurashtra. Later, she held a meeting with the officers and ministers at Airport.Rajiv Gandhi and party general secretary was also present and she explained her son _ nature of super cyclone,storm and typhoon.

As she departed for Delhi, Mrs. Indira Gandhi stopped to greet top industrialists, ministers, and leaders. A leading textile industrialist approached her, and she politely asked, "Bhai, aaj kal aap hamari party se naraj lagte hain?" (Brother, do you seem dissatisfied with our party lately?). The industrialist replied, "Madam, abhi Maine Barot saheb ko _____ diye the" (I've just given _____ to Barot saheb). Shortly after, news flashed from Delhi that Deputy Finance Minister Maganbhai Barot, MP from Ahmedabad, had been dropped from the Cabinet.

Mrs. Indira Gandhi also visited INS Balsura in Jamnagar, where she graciously agreed to a group photograph with young naval officers, saying, "It may be ten minutes for me, but for those young men, it's a lifetime experience." She even shared snacks with them.

In 1978, Mrs. Indira Gandhi travelled to Belchi to meet with Dalits whose families had been killed by landlords. Without a state VIP car, her jeep was driven by Munna Shahi, then Youth Congress leader. She rode an elephant to reach the village and later addressed a press conference at Jagannath Mishra's Circular Road residence, criticizing the Janta government for chaos, anarchy, lawlessness, and rising prices.

As a reporter, I asked Mrs. Indira Gandhi if the government could impose emergency. Her response was, "Do you think they will handle the emergency?"

Mr.Sadhu Sharan Singh was Congress MLC and called her Didi.Once in his return from.New Delhi,he told reporters" she asked about Abdul Ghaffor and I told her" Ghafoor saheb humko gaali dete hain aur wah bhi Behan wala,Didi bahut dukh hota hai'. CM tenure was cut short. Once, she asked Jagannath Mishra to nominate a woman leader to the Vidhan Parishad, despite his reservations.

During a communal riot in Biharsharif, Mrs. Indira Gandhi met with the injured at the hospital. Upon seeing Chief Minister Jagannath Mishra, she asked, "Aap kahan the, deri hui?" (Where were you, and why the delay?). His explanation about campaigning in a by-election failed to convince her.There was a serious communal riot at Biharsharif As was the practice then,ministers and chief ministers used to be at Palam airport to see and receive the PM during their tour abroad.Jagannath Mishra also went to Delhi as PM was scheduled to leave for Russia.Bihar CM inquired about her departure time,RK Dhawan told him,she has gone to Biharsharif abd would leave for Moscow late in the night Bihar CM returned in the state plane and rushed to Biharsharif.

Upon returning to Raj Bhawan, Mrs.Indira Gandhi attempted to contact the Home Minister but was unable to do so due to telecom congestion. She then spoke with Communication Minister CM Stephen, instructing him to improve telecom services.

As a punishment,head of Bihar telecom was transferred to North East and from that day, system of temporary tele Exchange set up even behind the PM public meetings stage started,when mobile or hot line was not there.