Bharat Ratnas: 1971 : INDIRA GANDHI (1917

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was born into the illustrious Nehru family on November.19.1917 at Allahabad..

She had her school education in Allahabad, Bombay and Geneva and obtained her Matriculation. She had her college education at Visva Bharati, Shanti Niketan and Somerville College, Oxford.

She started the Vanar Sena in 1930 and actively participated in the Independence Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi (1930 – 1947). She was imprisoned by the British Raj during the Quit India Movement.

She served successively as Vice Chairperson of Central Social Welfare Board (1953 – 1956), President of All India Youth Congress (1956 – 1959), President of Indian National Congress (1959 – 1960), Indian Delegate and Member of Executive Board of UNESCO at Paris (1960 – 1964).

She was elected to Parliament of India in 1964 and served successively as Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting (1964 – 1966) , Prime Minister of India (1966 – 1977) , Leader of Opposition (1977 – 1980) and Prime Minister of India (1980 – 1984).

She was assassinated by her security guards on October.31.1984 at her residence, Teen Murti Bhavan in New Delhi.

Prime Minister of India

She was elected as the First Women Prime Minister of India in 1966 and served in that office for two terms (1966 – 1977) and (1977 – 1984).

Her notable National achievements were Abolition of Privy Purses, Nationalization of Banks, Alleviation of Poverty and Illiteracy.

She envisioned the 20 Point Programme for Social and Economic Progress.

The Green Revolution (Self sufficiency of food grains), White Revolution (Self sufficiency of dairy products), Atomic Research and Space Research Programmes received a major thrust during her tenure.
Nationalization of coal fields and oil refineries.

The , Reorganization of Punjab (1966) and North Eastern States (1972), Integration of Sikkim into Indian Union (1975)were completed during her tenure.

She brought insurgent, militant and secessionist activities under control.

Her notable Regional achievements was the Victory in the 1971 India Pakistan War and the creation of new nation of Bangladesh in 1972

Her notable International achievements were as Chairperson of Heads of Government of Non Aligned Movement (1983) and Commonwealth Movement (1983).

She championed for World Peace, Disarmament and Socio Economic Development.

Positions

She was the President of All India Youth Congress, All India Women Congress and Indian National Congress (1959 – 1960) and (1978 – 1984)

She was Chairperson of Swaraj Bhavan Trust, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library,

She was Trustee of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Trust, Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust and Kamala Nehru Memorial Trust

She was Chairperson of Bal Bhavan , Bal Sahyog and National Children's Museum.

She was Chairperson of National Planning Commission, National Citizen Council, National Defence Council, National Integration Council, National Population Council.

She was Chairperson of Sangeet Natak Akademi (1965 – 1974)

She was Chief Patron of Indian Council for Cultural Affairs and Indian Council for World Affairs.

She was President of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha, She served as Chancellor of Visva Bharati University , Jawaharlal Nehru University and North Eastern Hill University, Shillong.

Awards

The Government of India conferred on her the Bharat Ratna in 1972 and Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding posthumously in 1985.

She was posthumously conferred the International Lenin Prize by USSR in 1985

She received the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Medal – Ceres Medal (1973) and United Nations Population Medal (1983).

She also received the Isabel award, Howards award, Phillips award, Smithsonian Medal.

Orders

She was honoured with the National Orders of Bangladesh, Netherlands, Vietnam, Cuba, Bhutan and International Olympic Commission.

Doctorates

She received Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of Andhra, Agra, Bangalore, Baghdad, Buenos Aires, El Salvador, Gurukul Kangri, Jamia Millia Islamia, Mauritius, Moscow, Nagpur, Oxford, Poona , Prague, Punjab, Tokyo, and Vikram. She received the Citation of Distinction from Colombia University.

Titles

She earned the title Iron Lady of India for the dynamic leadership exhibited by her at National and International arena.

Publications

She authored books titled, The Years of Challenge (1966 – 1969), The Years of Endeavour (1969 - 1972) and India (1975).

Biography

Indira Gandhi, A Biography by Pupul Jayakar (1995)

Indira Gandhi, A Biography by Inder Malhotra (1991)

Indira – The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi, Katherine Frank (2010)

Resources

www.pmindia.gov.in

www.wikipedia.com
www.britannica.com

NATIONAL INTEGRATION DAY

National Integration Day is observed every year on 19^th of November, the birth anniversary of the First Woman Prime Minister of the India, Indira Gandhi. National Integration Day is celebrated every year to encourage people about the unity, peace, love and brotherhood among them.

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INDIAN

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