31st October 2007

Twenty three years ago, on this very day, India’s first woman prime minister was killed. It was an uncanny coincidence that I turned the page to the second last chapter of her biography titled ‘31^st October 1984’ on this day.

I journeyed with her through her life over the past few months. At first I was unimpressed by this sickly, fearful little girl who would not have been a part of politics had her father not been Jawaharlal Nehru himself. But she comes into character for the reason she should – love for India and its people. They became her people and she their mother.

She did a lot for the country – some of it good and some not so good. In fact she is considered the reason that corruption is so rampant in this country. Whatever said and done, she is a figure that occupied the most powerful position in this country for eighteen years – years that were essential in defining who India is today.

For Indians it is important, I believe, to know who this woman was. I refrain from praising or criticizing her for it is impossible to do one without being unjust. So it is up to each one of you to learn about her and from her mistakes, because she has some important lessons to teach.

But it is sad that this country fails to remember. And I know this because the most widespread publication in India, The Times of India, has a piece on Dumbledore’s homosexuality on its editorial page, but fails to make a mention of this very important moment in the history of our nation.