Indira Gandhi 1917-1984: Role Model or Flawed Leader

Indira Gandhi presided over Indian politics for sixteen years. She struggled to overcome the inertia of her people and took bold and controversial decisions in difficult times. She possessed great intellect, rational perception and a sense of social justice and toleration that never left her. She was not without flaws or vanities: ‘Of Indira Gandhi it could be said that she was not only born into greatness, she also achieved greatness and while enjoying it, had more greatness thrust upon her’ (Singh, 1996, p195).