Indira Gandhi: Still Vivid in Our Memories

 

In this world, there are many great persons were born. They depart for eternal peace after a certain span of time. But we repent for them. But not for all. In every field, there are great persons who were born once in a lifetime. If they contribute towards the development of their respective nations. Citizens of those nations reminisce them with a deep heart. The moment those Great persons are deceased, the citizens of that particular nation sob deeply. The reason behind it logical. Henceforth they are reminisced and their fond memories will remain vivid in us forever. So far my revered online and offline readers might wonder about whom this writer is throwing light upon. Now let me open out about whom I intend to throw light upon. It is none other than dynamic and flamboyant Indira Gandhi, the one and only effervescent lady who wished to transform India to glaring heights.  Not only within her nation but also to global arenas. The purpose of throwing light about Indira Gandhi is in connection with her 39th martyrdom day which falls on 31st day of the said month. Subsequently her 106th birth anniversary falls on November 19. Such a long decade has elapsed. But citizens of India, South Asian Sub-Continent as well as from other parts of the globe. The flashing and sparkling memories of Late Indira Gandhi is still deeply vivid in our memories. There is lot to write about this dynamic personality. But this columnist from India will try his level best to throw light about this stateswoman more deeply and introspectively.

Indira Gandhi might be deceased around forty years back. But we must develop inquisitiveness on our mind why is her glaring memories still vivid and vibrant upon us. Indira was born in such a reputed political family of India. When India was the throes of colonial tyranny. Her erudite father Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru,suffered repeated incarceration during the days of freedom struggle. Plus she was lucky to inherit her father’s intense erudition and wisdom. From her kid stage, young Indu (as she was fondly called by father Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru) developed her taste towards undivided Indian politics and social systems. Her mission was such in life that motivated her to be in the midst of intense political and social situations. Indira Gandhi was the third Prime Minister of this major and vast democracy of the globe India. She continued to be in her foray from the years 1966 till her tragic assassination in the year 1984 on October 31. Except there was a gap in her tenure from the tumultuous emergency years 1977 to 1980. It was in the year 1980 she returned back to power with a thumping majority. A question might erupt in the mind of my revered readers that why Indira Gandhi still remain vivid in our memories.

In order to be in concurrence to my column, I have no hesitation to state why her memories are still vivid upon us.

Indira Gandhi as a dynamic and flamboyant female of India has tried her level best to light up new candles of our nation to a state of enlightenment. Wherever she went, she was well adored that storm her echelons to a much higher degree of excellence and charisma in her forte. In a diplomatic manoeuvring we have to understand one point. The approach within domestic and international segments which should be initiated are dynamism and perseverance approach. By this manner one is approachable to all nook and corners of the globe. Late Indira Gandhi was one such personality with a flamboyant flavourbeing able to reach to the hearts of global citizens. Being the daughter of Independent India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, she toured with him to prominent international destinations. This has helped her to gain insight about numerous international issues.

Indira Gandhi’s association with Shantiniketan was exquisite. Whenever she attended the convocation of Viswabharati University, she become so engrossed within the environs of the abode of peace of Tagore. Didn’t feel like leaving the place abruptly. Plus in this regard, she had one special trait in her that she was hard-core punctilious in nature and temperament. That means the time in which the program was supposed to begin she used to reach at least on an average ten to fifteen minutes prior to schedule time. This kind of punctuality by any Indian political leader cum public icon is now totally absent.

In case of Congress parliamentary board meetings as well as cabinet meetings, she emphasised on complete attendance and punctuality. She was so severe and harsh which compelled her colleagues to resort to her orders. This is absolutely lacking in modern political scenes of India. Also Late Gandhi insisted upon her party and cabinet colleagues to be more disciplined and dedicated to their tasks. Where are those dedicated souls of today? Not only in political field, in other fields of activities in India, utmost dedication and commitment to task is absolutely minus. Very shocking incident to covet.

Now coming to current Indian political and social situations. I feel her noble legacies are still deeply relevant for our upliftment in ratio to global standard. Now politicians commit something to the citizens. In reality we find that commitment has not been firm enough. That is why citizens of this vast nation are deeply angst upon our represent of the people. Not only the educated classes are annoyed at our political fraternities, rather poorer sections of Indian populace are also deeply aggrieved upon our political cultures and representatives of the people.

Late Indira Gandhi’s memory will remain vivid upon us for another reason. She was also instrumental in nationalisation of various commercial banks. In all in the year 1969 Late Indira Gandhi decided to nationalise 14 commercial which had deposits of over Rs 50 crores.

The way Late Indira Gandhi played prolific roles in regard to liberation struggle and independence of Bangladesh. It speaks broadly about her sincerity and dynamism about her goal. She was deeply affectionate and revered upon Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. If her motivation was not there upon erstwhile East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) then entire globe and literary loving Bengalis would not have been richly benefited with one and only Bengali nation in the history of global politics concerned. Just at the doorstep of Bangladesh’s independence Late Indira Gandhi’s role could not be forgotten. A statue has been erected in her memory and which has been set up within the courtyard of Bangladesh National Parliament (which is also known as Jatiyo Sangshad). Also a road has been named in her memory named Indira Sarani (close to Farmgate area which leads the way towards Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport).

Apart from the above, Indira Gandhi played pivotal roles in regard to staging various international events in Indian capital city New Delhi. But on certain domestic issues, especially Punjab’s Golden Temple massacre badly demeaned her pride and position. In her last days, Sikhs were badly aggrieved and annoyed at her ways of handling Golden Temple and Khalistan issues. As a mark of vengeance Indira Gandhi on a day on October 31, 1984. While she was strolling along her official Safdarjunge Enclave residence. Fell suddenly to assassins’ bullet who were her close confidante and every day part and parcel of life.

Also during the modern age, the way Indian governance are being carried on. The noble legacies of Indira Gandhi still remains in the annals of Indian political history. She cannot be forgotten at all from the threshold of our memories. As per proper execution of parliamentary discipline and governance is concerned, the name of Indira Gandhi will remain vivid in our memories. She always emphasised upon methodical way to functioning of our democratic setup. This thought of Indira Gandhi was not accepted in its proper perspectives.

During the tenure of Indira Gandhi, the governance of the nation was meticulously being carried upon for macro development of the nation. But now we find that there has been haphazard ways of governing our nation. Everything is in a topsy-turvy situation. No governmental control is noticeable. It is our sincerest hopes and aspirations that good sense to prevail soon. Thereby the noble legacies of Late Indira Gandhi will be ever vivid in our memories. Last not the least till date the memories of Indira Gandhi is still vivid in the mind of Bangladesh nationals too. Thanks to Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wazed. She remains ever grateful to her.


Sujayendra Das is a columnist
based in Kolkata, India.