GLH+P4+2015+Indira+Gandhi

Audience- Kailie Szewczyk Indira Gandhi was a thriving political leader in India, and she influenced many different people. Primarily, she was a role model for the women in India during her time as Prime Minister. The time in which she was a leader was during a pivotal moment in Indian culture, for India had just attained its independence. An article entitled “Indira Gandhi” explains, “The numerous contenders for the position of the Prime Ministership, unable to agree among themselves, picked Indira Gandhi as a compromise candidate, and each thought that she would be easily manipulable” (1). First and foremost, Indira was an advocate for the people of India and the betterment of India itself. Primarily because of the fact that she was a woman, many other “candidates” thought that Indira would be able to be influenced. Additionally, because India had just attained its independence, Indira had many high standards to live up to, for people were expecting an excellent leader. However, Indira, being the amazing leader that she was, set the bar high. Indira was an example to women in India that leadership is attainable for people of any sex. A biography of Indira Gandhi states, “In an effort to address the chronic food shortages that mainly affected the extremely poor Sikh farmers of the Punjab region, Gandhi decided to increase crop diversification and food exports as a way out of the problem, creating new jobs as well as food for her countrymen” (“Indira Gandhi” 1). Indira proved the other doubtful candidates wrong by proposing and soon enforcing her innovative ideas. By solving problems that India faced during the time of her leadership, Indira demonstrated that creativity and unprecedented ideas are influential no matter what gender an individual is.

Historical- Megan Nickerson Born on November 19, 1917 in Allahabad, India, Indira Gandhi was the only child of her parents Kamla and Jawaharlal Nehru. She spent her childhood in living part time in India and part time in Switzerland. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru was elected Prime Minister of India shortly after India gained independence. In 1964, the year her father passed away, Indira Gandhi was elected to Parliament; at this time she was the Minister of Information and Broadcasting. As her time in Parliament continued, there came a need to elect a new Prime Minister and there were, ¨...numerous contenders for the position of the Prime Ministership, unable to agree among themselves, picked Indira Gandhi as a compromise candidate, and each thought that she would be easily manipulable. But Indira Gandhi showed extraordinary political skills and tenacity and elbowed the Congress dons -- Kamaraj, Morarji Desai, and others -- out of power,¨(¨Indira Gandhi¨ 1). This ¨tenacity¨ and powerful leadership became her trademark as the fourth Prime Minister of India. Through her reign, ¨...Gandhi was known for her political ruthlessness and unprecedented centralization of power¨(¨Manas: History and Politics¨ 1). She went through with many bold political moves including going to war with Pakistan in defense Indian freedom. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by in her home by her guards in 1984. She is remembered for her incredible skill in politics and her tactful decisions as Prime Minister.

Cultural- Estefania Camacho Garcia Indira Gandhi was a very influential political figure not only for India, but for all the nations; whether it was the fact that Indira was a female and was an effective prime minister, her actions swayed the citizens of India and the world. As mentioned in the article, Indira Gandhi, “Within a few years Gandhi gained enormous popularity for introducing successful programs that transformed India into a country self-sufficient in food grains—an achievement known as the Green Revolution” (1). Gandhi was an excellent ruler and helped her country progress. Gandhi was a supporter of “successful programs” such as agriculture improvements; this led to helping India progress because they would then be able to produce and rely on themselves, hence the statement “transformed India into a country self-sufficient in food grains”. The significance of Gandhi’s support is that the programs were able to take off and go into effect. Therefore, India became “self-sufficient” and did not have to rely on other nations in order to feed its large population. India now had the ability to compete internationally due to the ability to produce on their own. Gandhi was also a key player in the Pakistan War because through her support of Bengali separating East and West Pakistan apart, Bangladesh was was created. A new nation was created because of her support and the fleeing refugees had a country to themselves. Her leadership caused awareness from the nation because during her term many citizens’ rights were violated and not observed, which caused many arrests and sent many citizens to prison without “due process”. The effect of this is that as the citizens of India or residents of the world can look back on the “Reign of Terror” and realize that their rights should not be violated. This is later reflected as seen in the United States of America when the African-Americans marched for their civil rights; they realized that they were not being treated equal to the caucasians. Additionally, in the article, 1984: Indian Prime Minister Shot Dead, it was stated, “If I die today, every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation” (1). Indira Gandhi’s ruling was so powerful and influential, she knew that her term gave strength to the country and when she died, her country would live on to have a prosperous future. This can be seen through the statement of “every drop of my blood will invigorate the nation”. Another of her extremely impactful policy was her enforcement of birth control. It was stated in, Indira Gandhi, “One of Indira Gandhi’s most unpopular policies during her time in office was government-enforced sterilization as a form of population control” (1). This act was powerful, because she was a female in power stating what the new policies were. This action was done in order to benefit the nation so there would not be over crowding. The citizens did not agree with all her actions, but they realized how powerful and what great influence she has. This led to her powerful and impactful term influencing the Indian Nation. Indira Gandhi did not only influence the citizens of her nation, but the citizens of the world and her term would continue to impact the generations of the future.

Aim Reed Neuser Indira Gandhi, being the first female prime minister of India, had many goals in which she hoped to achieve in her position. Such goals were primarily based around creating peace in the chaotic Congress. One article states, “In an effort to create peace in Congress, she appointed Desai as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. Unfortunately, after numerous disagreements between the two, the Indian National Congress split in 1969. For the next two years, Indira ruled with the support from the Socialist and Communist parties” (“Indira Gandhi becomes Indian Prime Minister” 1). Stating that her efforts to create peace in Congress” caused the congregational system to gain “support” from both parties, enhances Gandhi’s beneficial impact on India, and therefore revealing her efforts to have been achieved. In addition, Gandhi aimed to provide a change for the people of India within a series of aspects. Another article states, “It was during her premiership that India became the regional power in South Asia with considerable political, economic, and military clout. She also presided over a state of emergency and made considerable changes to the Indian Constitution” (“Indira Gandhi” 1). Gandhi additionally improved her aim of providing “Congress with peace” by causing India to be a leading power in the areas of “political, economic, and military clout”. Not only did Gandhi achieve “peace” through such an act, but additionally skyrocketed India to be a model country by creating significant changes to the Indian Constitution. The ample contributions via Gandhi’s vision for India, or “aim”, as prime minister not only established a more peaceful Congress, but influenced a flourishing country under her power.

Works Cited //Indira Gandhi//. 2015. The Famous People. n.d. Web. 25 Feb. 2015

//Indira Gandhi Becomes Indian Prime Minister//. History.com. A&E Television Networks. n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

//Indira Gandhi.//History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2015.

//Indira Gandhi//.Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.

//Indira Gandhi//. Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2015.

//Manas: History and Politics, Indira Gandhi//. Manas: History and Politics, Indira Gandhi. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Feb. 2015. 1984: Indian Prime Minister Shot Dead.BBC News. BBC, 31 Oct. 1984. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.