The credit of the formation of Bangladesh goes to the people of East Pakistan, who fought and suffered to create a nation. India under Indira Gandhi’s guidance helped them in their fight for freedom. It is an adamantine fact of life that people create nations. This the people did on December 15, 1971, when East Pakistan became Bangladesh.
On December 15, 1972, she wrote to President Nixon (who
had used obscene language against her). I shall quote the final paragraph of that memorable letter: “….. Be that as it may, it is my earnest and sincere hope that with all the knowledge and deep understanding of human affairs, you, as President of the United States and reflecting the will, the aspirations and idealism of the great American people, will at least let me know where precisely we have gone wrong before representatives or spokesmen deal with us with such harshness of language.” Richard Nixon did not reply.
In any survey of the best Prime Minister, she is in most cases named number one. Indira Gandhi was named the woman of the millennium. Was she infallible? No, she was not. She very much regretted the imposing of the Emergency. She permitted her younger son to cloud her judgment. The credit goes to her for lifting the Emergency and calling for elections, in which she and her younger son lost their seats. She was back in the saddle in less than three years.
Operation Bluestar was a grave blunder. It cost Indira Gandhi her life. In fairness, one must record that her specific instructions were flouted. “No damaging the Golden Temple” is what she had said. Nevertheless, the ultimate responsibility was hers. She apologised unequivocally but the damage had been done.
Speaking personally, Indira Gandhi inspired in me a lasting affection and respect verging on veneration. I owe her much more than I can put in adequate words. Probably more than I shall ever know.
On December 15, 1972, she wrote to President Nixon (who
had used obscene language against her). I shall quote the final paragraph of that memorable letter: “….. Be that as it may, it is my earnest and sincere hope that with all the knowledge and deep understanding of human affairs, you, as President of the United States and reflecting the will, the aspirations and idealism of the great American people, will at least let me know where precisely we have gone wrong before representatives or spokesmen deal with us with such harshness of language.” Richard Nixon did not reply.In any survey of the best Prime Minister, she is in most cases named number one. Indira Gandhi was named the woman of the millennium. Was she infallible? No, she was not. She very much regretted the imposing of the Emergency. She permitted her younger son to cloud her judgment. The credit goes to her for lifting the Emergency and calling for elections, in which she and her younger son lost their seats. She was back in the saddle in less than three years.
Operation Bluestar was a grave blunder. It cost Indira Gandhi her life. In fairness, one must record that her specific instructions were flouted. “No damaging the Golden Temple” is what she had said. Nevertheless, the ultimate responsibility was hers. She apologised unequivocally but the damage had been done.
Speaking personally, Indira Gandhi inspired in me a lasting affection and respect verging on veneration. I owe her much more than I can put in adequate words. Probably more than I shall ever know.
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