” I am here today, I may not be here tomorrow. I do not care whether I live or die. I have lived a long life and I am proud that I spent the whole whole of my life in the service of the people. I shall continue to serve until my last breath when I die. I can say that every drop of my blood will invigorate India and strengthen it.”
These words spoken by Indira Gandhi at her last speech echo the sacrifice she had made with might and courage for the nation.
Indira Gandhi was the only woman Prime Minister who led the nation’s millions. Her name inevitably speaks of the laurels and the development she had brought during her term in the office. Even her worst critics could not undermine the undying love she had for her country even at her final hour. The bullets that shredded her fragile body on 31st October 1984, couldn’t silence her sharp voice and farsighted vision. This made her an epitome of fearlessness.
A distinctive personality, though she was, she made tough choices for guaranteeing a strong and a secular nation. She was a ray of hope for a nation which was stricken with constant religious, communal and caste battles. She was an ardent supporter of peace and non-violence and protested to bring reforms. Through her programs and initiatives she transformed India altogether keeping up the vision of self-reliance, ‘Garibi Hatao’ and a secular socialist nation.
Martyrdom does not end something, it is only the beginning. She was a woman of her words and her sacrifice as she had said strengthened the nation.
