Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra remembered their grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary, sharing childhood photographs and emotional messages. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute, recalling her contribution to India’s unity and development.
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday remembered their grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 42nd death anniversary, sharing cherished childhood photographs and emotional messages recalling their personal memories with her.
Rahul Gandhi shared a childhood photograph featuring himself with Indira Gandhi and recalled special moments spent sitting on her lap, holding her hands and listening to her recite a traditional Sanskrit Shanti Mantra from the Yajur Veda.
In an emotional message posted on social media platform X, Rahul Gandhi described how he would listen to his grandmother’s voice and repeat the sacred verses after her.
He shared the Sanskrit prayer:
“Asato mā sadgamaya, tamaso mā jyotirgamaya, mṛtyormā amṛtaṃ gamaya. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”
The prayer expresses the aspiration to move from untruth to truth, darkness to light and mortality to immortality.
Reflecting on the memory, Rahul wrote, “What a beautiful gift you gave me, Dadi. What a gift. I never imagined.”
His message highlighted the personal bond he shared with Indira Gandhi and the influence of her teachings during his childhood.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also shared a childhood photograph with her grandmother, remembering her as a woman of remarkable strength, depth and resilience. Describing Indira Gandhi’s personality through an emotional social media message, Priyanka wrote, “What a beautiful woman she was! Free as the sky, deep as the ocean, resilient as the Earth and brighter than fire.”
The siblings’ messages came as the country remembered Indira Gandhi on October 31, marking 42 years since her assassination in 1984.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also paid tribute to the former Prime Minister through a social media post. Recalling Indira Gandhi’s final public speech delivered a day before her death, Kharge quoted her words about continuing to serve the country as long as she lived and the sacrifice of every drop of her blood for India’s unity.
Kharge described Indira Gandhi as a symbol of courage, determination and visionary leadership. He said her commitment to protecting India’s unity, integrity and national honour, along with her contribution to the development of modern India, would remain part of the country’s collective memory.
Indira Gandhi, popularly known as the ‘Iron Lady of India’, was born on November 19, 1917, in Allahabad, present-day Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. She was the daughter of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Kamala Nehru. She became India’s first woman Prime Minister in January 1966 and served until March 1977. She returned to office in January 1980 and remained Prime Minister until October 31, 1984.
During her political career, Indira Gandhi played a significant role in several major developments in India’s political, economic and international affairs. One of the most consequential events during her tenure was the 1971 India-Pakistan war, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. Her leadership during the conflict established an important chapter in India’s post-independence history.
Her government also supported the expansion of agricultural policies associated with the Green Revolution, which contributed to increasing food production and strengthening India’s efforts towards food security.
Another major milestone during her tenure was India’s first nuclear test, conducted at Pokhran in Rajasthan in May 1974 under the name ‘Smiling Buddha’. Her government also supported the development of India’s scientific, technological and space capabilities.
In the banking sector, her government nationalised 14 major commercial banks in 1969, a decision aimed at expanding institutional credit and directing financial resources towards agriculture, small industries and rural development.
Indira Gandhi also played an important role in the Non-Aligned Movement, through which India sought to maintain an independent position in international affairs during the Cold War.
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Her death anniversary is observed every year on October 31, remembering her political career and the events that shaped India’s history during her years in office. Her birth anniversary, November 19, is also observed as National Integration Day, commemorating her association with national unity and integration.
The emotional tributes from Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge brought renewed attention to Indira Gandhi’s personal legacy, political journey and contribution to India’s national life.
