NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday shared a heartfelt message remembering his grandmother and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 42nd death anniversary, recalling childhood moments spent with her and sharing a photograph from their time together.In a post on X, Rahul recalled sitting on her lap, holding her hands and repeating Sanskrit verses after her. He described the memory as a beautiful gift from his grandmother.“Sitting on your lap. Holding both your hands. Listening to your voice say these words. Repeating them after you. asato mā sadgamayatamaso mā jyotirgamaya, mṛtyormā amṛtaṃ gamaya, OM Shanti, shanti, Shanti, What a beautiful gift you gave me Dadi. What a gift. I never imagined.”Rahul also paid homage to Indira Gandhi at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi on Saturday. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior party leaders also attended the programme to pay tribute to the former prime minister.Karnataka chief minister DK Shivakumar also remembered Indira Gandhi, describing her as the ‘Iron Lady’ and recalling her efforts towards the upliftment of the poor through the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’.“The Iron Lady who made revolutionary decisions for the progress of the country, making the entire world look towards India. A compassionate leader whose heart beat for the upliftment of the poor and the downtrodden through the slogan ‘Garibi Hatao’ (Abolish Poverty). On the death anniversary of Smt. Indira Gandhi, the first woman Prime Minister of the country, respectful tributes to the legendary leader,” he said.Shivakumar also recalled her role in India’s political, economic and institutional development, citing milestones in agricultural production, banking and the country’s space and nuclear programmes.“Paying my respects to the Iron Lady and former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on her death anniversary. She occupies a significant place in India’s history as a leader whose tenure witnessed far-reaching political, economic and institutional developments. From strengthening agricultural production and expanding access to banking to supporting India’s space and nuclear programmes, her years in office encompassed several important milestones,” Shivakumar said.“As we remember her journey in public life, we also recognise the mark she left on India’s political landscape and its development trajectory. Her contributions remain an important part of India’s post-independence history, and her memory will continue to be remembered with respect,” he added.
Indira Gandhi, India’s first woman prime minister, served from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination on October 31, 1984. Born on November 19, 1917, she was the daughter of India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.She was assassinated by two of her bodyguards at her residence in New Delhi on October 31, 1984. Her death anniversary is observed every year in remembrance of her contribution to the country’s political history.