Political leaders, including PM Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi, paid tribute to the former Prime Minister, remembering her as an embodiment of strength and resilience. Indira Gandhi's transformative leadership and patriotism are still sources of inspiration for many. Her birth anniversary is a reminder of her contributions to India's progress and development.
Indira Gandhi: A Legacy of Strength and Resilience
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi, the first and only female Prime Minister of India, was born on November 19, 1917. Her birth anniversary serves as a poignant reminder of her immense contributions to the nation's progress and development.
Early Life and Political Career
Born into a politically influential family, Gandhi's father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was the first Prime Minister of independent India. After completing her education in India and Europe, she joined the Indian National Congress and actively participated in the freedom struggle against British rule. Gandhi rose through the party ranks and held several important positions before becoming the Prime Minister in 1966.
Transformative Leadership
Gandhi's tenure as Prime Minister was marked by transformative policies and bold decisions. She spearheaded India's Green Revolution, which led to a significant increase in crop production. She also nationalized major industries and introduced progressive social reforms, including a ban on dowry. Gandhi's charisma and unwavering determination inspired a generation of Indians.
The Emergency
In 1975, facing growing political opposition and social unrest, Gandhi imposed a state of emergency. During this period, civil liberties were suspended, and dissent was suppressed. The Emergency was highly controversial and remains a subject of debate.
Assassination and Legacy
Gandhi's assassination on October 31, 1984, by Sikh separatists sent shockwaves across India and the world. She was remembered as a symbol of strength and resilience. Her legacy continues to inspire leaders and ordinary citizens alike.
FAQs
1. What are Indira Gandhi's most significant accomplishments?
Indira Gandhi's major accomplishments include:
2. Why did Gandhi impose the Emergency?
Gandhi imposed the Emergency in 1975 to quell political opposition and social unrest. She argued that it was necessary to restore law and order and prevent the country from slipping into chaos.
3. How was Gandhi assassinated?
Gandhi was assassinated on October 31, 1984, by two Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for her decision to send troops into the Golden Temple to quell the Sikh separatist movement.
4. What is Gandhi's legacy today?
Gandhi's legacy is complex and multifaceted. She is remembered as a strong and decisive leader who transformed India's economic and social landscape. However, her decision to impose the Emergency remains a controversial aspect of her legacy.
5. How is Gandhi's birth anniversary celebrated?
Gandhi's birth anniversary is celebrated as Bal Diwas (Children's Day) across India. Schools and organizations host cultural programs and events to commemorate her contributions and inspire future generations.
King Charles and actor Idris Elba hold a summit at St James's Palace to address the devastating impact of knife crime on young people. The King was moved by the story of a campaigner who overcame his own stabbing incident by taking up boxing, and emphasized the importance of directing energy towards positive activities. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has personally met with grieving parents of knife crime victims, shares the government's goal to halve knife crime in a decade and enact new laws such as Ronan's Law, which bans ninja swords.
The Chief Judge of Taraba State has announced the commencement of the 2025 annual vacation for the state's high courts, with a designated vacation judge to handle urgent matters. The announcement was made through an official notification in the gazette, in accordance with Order 8 Rules 2011. According to the Chief Judge, the designated vacation period will not exceed six weeks and the courts will not be sitting during this time, except for urgent matters or at the request of all parties involved. The appointment of Justice Yahaya Goje as the vacation judge was also announced in the statement.
The Kerala High Court recently dismissed a writ petition filed by a lawyer named Asif Azad, who sought directions to quash a cheque dishonour case against him. In the course of the hearing, Azad refused to argue his case, insisting that the judge, Justice PV Kunhikrishnan, should not hear it as he had imposed costs on Azad in a previous matter. The court, however, clarified that each case is decided on its own merits and that litigants cannot dictate or choose which judge hears their case, emphasizing the need to respect the roster system determined by the Chief Justice.
In a significant development, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was granted bail by an MP-MLA Special Magistrate Court in Lucknow. Gandhi had been accused of making defamatory statements against Indian soldiers during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in 2022. He had personally appeared before the court and surrendered to seek bail, with his counsel arguing for his innocence. The bail was granted on the condition of furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 with two sureties. This comes after the Allahabad High Court had dismissed his plea challenging the defamation case and the summoning order, stating that freedom of speech and expression does not cover defamatory statements against individuals or institutions. The next hearing is scheduled for August 13.
Congress leader Udit Raj's remarks about a Dalit or OBC candidate deserving to be chosen for India's Axiom-4 space mission instead of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla have sparked controversy. ISRO has stated that Shukla's 15-day mission in space will play a significant role in the Gaganyaan program. With the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS set for a splashdown on Tuesday, Udit Raj's comments have raised important questions about representation in India's space exploration history.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has stated the importance of the ongoing eviction drive in the state, not only to protect the forests but also to thwart a larger conspiracy to alter the demographic profile of Upper Assam. The government has reclaimed over 160 square kilometers of land from alleged illegal settlers, with a focus on addressing both environmental and demographic encroachment. CM Sarma highlighted the recent eviction drive in Lakhimpur, revealing that many of the evictees were not landless, but already owned homes in their districts of origin.
Ever since the sudden surge in crimes across Bihar, opposition parties have been relentlessly attacking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and his government. With over 50 murders reported in just the first 14 days of this month, the law and order situation in the state has become a major political issue. Leaders from both RJD and Congress have blamed the CM for being unable to control the situation and prioritize his own position instead. In response, the Deputy CM has hit back at the opposition, asserting that the government is taking strict measures to tackle crime and blaming past administration's actions for encouraging criminals.
In a significant milestone for Assam, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the government has managed to free over 12,000 hectares of land from illegal encroachment over the past four years. The efforts are seen as crucial in safeguarding the state's land, identity, and cultural fabric from the "existential threats" of infiltration and planned demographic changes. Taking to social media, Sarma highlighted that this year, over 160 square kilometers of land have been reclaimed, which accounts for almost 75 percent of Guwahati's total area.
With the crucial Bihar assembly elections on the horizon, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a plan to employ one crore youth in the next five years. This decision, seen as a strategic move by the ruling NDA government, aims to counter the opposition's criticism of rising unemployment in the state. A new university dedicated to skill development, named after a renowned leader, will also be launched to equip youth with necessary skills for job opportunities. This initiative is expected to accelerate the pace of government jobs and employment in the state.
Sources have confirmed that the Bihar Cabinet meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, will focus on expanding welfare schemes and addressing the hot-button issue of reservation. With election season looming, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is expected to announce revised benefits for the youth, elderly, women, and farmers, as well as review the 65% reservation bill and push for implementation of 35% reservation for women in state jobs. The decisions made during this meeting could have a major impact on the outcome of the upcoming assembly elections.