Iron lady

In 1970 at ocassion of Independence day when she paused on the ramparts of the Red Fort after her speech to raise the three customary “Jai Hind” slogans. Just after the vast crowd joined in the refrain there was an earthquake.

Fearing that panic may lead to a stampede, the Prime Minister exhorted the crowd to stay calm “as there were several earthquakes to come before India gained its rightful place in the comity of nations.”

The appeal had its effect and not a single person moved until she had departed, waving her hand. That was Indira Gandhi’s charisma. In the 1971 elections, the Congress came back to power with an overwhelming majority.

This term was marked by a decisive moment in her career. The Indian Army won a decisive victory over Pakistan in 1971, which results a new country Bangladesh was formed, and opposition leaders began to hail her as Durga.

Under Indira Gandhi’s leadership, India secured food self-sufficiency, and made gigantic strides in developing nuclear and space technology. She visited the site of India’s first nuclear explosion at Pokhran in Rajasthan on December 22, 1974. India conducted the test in May that year.