Journalism of Courage
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi, daughter of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, is the only woman who served as the Prime Minister of India. Born in the political family, she was the second longest serving Prime Minister of the country after her father. She was appointed the President of Congress party in 1959 and also served as her father's personal assistant from 1947 till 1964. After Nehru's death in 1964, she served as a Cabinet minister under Lal Bahadur Shastri's leadership but later became Prime Minister of the country in 1966 after Shastri's sudden death. From 1966 to 1977, she was able to retain the position but lost after an emergency was imposed by her in 1975 leading to a national discontent and countrywide protests. She returned to power in 1980 and during this time she ordered storming of Sikh Holy Shrine Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar and was assasinated on October 31, 1984 by her two Sikh bodyguards. Violence erupted in several parts of the country after her death in which Sikhs were killed by angry protesters. She was known for her strong personality and also went to war with Pakistan supporting the Independence Movement in East Pakistan leading to formation of Bangladesh. In 1999, Indira Gandhi was named 'Woman of the Millennium' by a BBC poll.
INDIRA GANDHI NEWS
Why India’s Constitution has survived the test of the time, even as those of its neighbours failed
November 27, 2025 12:34 pm
The Constitution has been neither rigid nor flexible. It is a blend of both and paved the way for political leaders to alter the rule book according to the current needs of society, without changing the basic framework
40 years ago November 27, 1985: Satwant denies killing Indira
November 27, 2025 7:47 am
This is the front page of The Indian Express published on November 27, 1985.
Forty-two years after Assam’s darkest chapter, two reports shed some light – with contrasting accounts
November 28, 2025 12:04 am
Assam 1983 violence reports, nellie massacre inquiry reports: Assembly tables official and unofficial reports on violence that was unleashed during and after the 1983 state elections, most prominently the Nellie massacre.
Former Chile President Michelle Bachelet gets Indira Gandhi Peace Prize
November 20, 2025 3:40 am
Bachelet was critical of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and had said that “activists and human rights defenders have also come under mounting pressure” while participating in protests against the CAA in 2019-20.
Who is Michelle Bachelet, former Chile President awarded Indira Gandhi Prize 2024
November 19, 2025 9:12 pm
Bachelet, who had served as the first and only woman President of Chile and is a former Chief of UN Human Rights, received the award from Sonia Gandhi, who is chairperson of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.
IGNOU marks 40th foundation day; announces new digital initiatives
November 19, 2025 7:01 pm
Several new initiatives were announced as part of the Foundation Day proceedings. These included the launch of a special postal cover by India Post, a short film titled IGNOU – 40 Years of Excellence in Higher Education, and the BISAG-N Virtual Education System.
'Her fearless leadership shaped a self-reliant nation': Congress pays tributes to former PM Indira Gandhi on 108th birth anniversary
November 19, 2025 11:37 am
Prime Minister Narendra Modi too paid his tributes to the country's first female PM on the occasion.
October 31, 1985, Forty Years Ago: Homage to Indira
October 31, 2025 6:53 am
The homage to Indira Gandhi on her first death anniversary will begin at 4 am when the Congress members of Parliament assemble at the AICC-I office on Akbar Road for a silent march to her resting place, Shakti Sthal.
5 biographies I want to read before the end of 2025
November 13, 2025 8:01 pm
I have set myself the ambitious goal of reading five biographies in two months. I share the titles on my list
Amid Khalistani threat to his Australia concert after he touched Amitabh Bachchan's feet, Diljit Dosanjh says, 'I was born from this land, I will die here'
October 30, 2025 4:56 pm
The Sikh for Justice group has threatened to disrupt Diljit Dosanjh's concert in Melbourne, Australia on November 1 as it coincides with the Sikh Genocide Remembrance Day.
INDIRA GANDHI PHOTOS
As Modi embarks on US visit, a look at Indian PMs attending State dinners at White House
June 20, 2023 9:15 pm
Here's a look at Indian Prime Ministers with US Presidents during their State Dinners over the years since India gained Independence.
As Rahul Gandhi turns 53, a look at his life and politics: From the archives
June 19, 2023 2:46 pm
As Rahul Gandhi turns 53, we take a look at his life and politics. Take a look at pictures from Express Archives.
On Indira Gandhi's 105th birth anniversary, a look back at the Iron Lady's journey in politics
November 19, 2022 2:44 pm
Kangana Ranaut to Suchitra Sen: 9 actresses who have portrayed Indira Gandhi on screen
July 14, 2022 1:22 pm
Ahead of Kangana Ranaut's portrayal of Indira Gandhi in her directorial debut Emergency, here is a look at actresses who have played the Iron Lady on screen.
Rare images of Jawaharlal Nehru on his 57th death anniversary
May 27, 2021 11:59 am
May 27, 2021 marks the 57th year of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru aka Chacha Nehru's demise. Following are some rare archival images commemorating highlights of his lifetime.
On Sonia Gandhi's 73rd birthday, here are some rare photographs that you wouldn’t have seen
December 10, 2019 6:44 am
The Congress interim chief Sonia Gandhi turned 73 Monday. She has decided not to celebrate her birthday in the wake of rape incidents across the country and growing concerns over women’s security.
Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary: Rare photos of the 'Iron Lady' from Express archives
November 19, 2019 12:33 pm
Today marks the 102nd birth anniversary of India’s first and only female prime minister Indira Gandhi. Political leaders from across the spectrum paid rich tributes to the ‘Iron Lady of India’.
Indira Gandhi’s birth anniversary: Rare photos of the ‘Iron Lady’
November 20, 2018 7:05 am
Today marks the 101st birth anniversary of India’s first and only female prime minister Indira Gandhi.
Close aide to Indira Gandhi, Congress veteran R K Dhawan passes away
August 07, 2018 9:24 am
Veteran Congress leader Rajinder Kumar Dhawan who was a close aide of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi breathed his last at B L Kapur hospital on Monday.
A look at Time magazine's most iconic covers featuring women
December 08, 2017 4:20 pm
The Time magazine in 2017 chose a bunch of brave women, those who had spoken up against sexual harassment as the Person of the Year. Here's a look at some similar iconic covers of the magazine featuring women.
INDIRA GANDHI VIDEOS
Priyanka Gandhi takes a political Plunge, appointed Congress in-charge of UP East
June 22, 2020 6:04 pm
Ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress Wednesday appointed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as general secretary of Uttar Pradesh East. She will take charge in the second week of February.
Rare pictures: Protests at the Boat Club
June 22, 2020 6:20 pm
Take a look at some of the candid pictures of protests at Boat Club in Delhi . This is part of a weekly photo series where we bring you some unguarded moments captured over the years by The Indian Express photographers’ network.
Congress exposed by its alliance partner: BJP
January 11, 2016 1:00 pm
New Delhi, Jan 11 (ANI): Taking a jibe at the Congress after a report published on the Bihar Government's official website said former prime minister Indira Gandhi's regime was worse than the British raj. The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) National secretary Shrikant Sharma on Monday said the grand old party now stands exposed at the hands of its alliance partner.
Congress exposed by its alliance partner: BJP
January 11, 2016 1:00 pm
New Delhi, Jan 11 (ANI): Taking a jibe at the Congress after a report published on the Bihar Government's official website said former prime minister Indira Gandhi's regime was worse than the British raj. The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) National secretary Shrikant Sharma on Monday said the grand old party now stands exposed at the hands of its alliance partner.
Congress exposed by its alliance partner: BJP
January 11, 2016 1:00 pm
New Delhi, Jan 11 (ANI): Taking a jibe at the Congress after a report published on the Bihar Government's official website said former prime minister Indira Gandhi's regime was worse than the British raj. The Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP) National secretary Shrikant Sharma on Monday said the grand old party now stands exposed at the hands of its alliance partner.
EXPLAINED | The Emergency and the significance of June 12
June 16, 2015 2:30 pm
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