“Indiraji’s response to the worst moments in her political life was to push herself into more action,” he said, adding that in this centenary year, people will remember her for her various contributions.
The President also recalled a series of bold decisions Gandhi took in the interest of the country, laying special emphasis to her decision to cleanse Golden Temple of militants, which he termed as the “most dangerous”.
“As a student of history I was afraid to do anything with the Golden Temple. And as member of the then CCPA I told at the meeting that perhaps the most dangerous decisions we are taking,” he said referring to Operation Bluestar in 1984.
“Sometimes history demands some action which may not prove correct later on, but perhaps is most relevant at that time. This decision cannot be avoided,” he said.
Mukherjee said the fearlessness in Gandhi’s actions, she did not make an inch of change in her policy. He said Indira Gandhi played the second longest innings as prime minister of this country in her two terms.
He said her entire life was infused with a tremendous passion for India and its people.
“Fearlessness in action and boldness in decision making was the unique hallmark of Indiraji’s character. Indiraji waged throughout her life a relentless war against communal and sectarian violence,” he said.
He said she left a great legacy and during the almost 16 years as prime minister, India became the third largest reservoir of technical and scientific manpower, the sixth member of the nuclear club and then began the race for space science and technology.
“She proved that what she decides to do, she does not hesitate to have that,” he said.
Ansari, in his brief address, said she lived in a period of turmoil and change in the country, the neighbourhood and the world and “Destiny bestowed on her the role of being a principle actor.” He said this volume is a in the nature of “an offering” to her in her birth centennial year.
Former PM Manmohan Singh said, “Indira Gandhi was not just India’s Prime Minister, but was also an acknowledged leader of the developing countries. She believed in world peace and her voice was heard with respect in the world fora.”
He also said that history will remember with respect Indira Gandhi’s sacrifice and her everlasting contribution.
Singh also recalled her famous speech at Stockholm during the first Environment Summit, where she said, “poverty was the biggest polluter”.
The audience comprised a galaxy of top Congress leaders, including former Union Ministers and chief ministers. The guests included Congress veterans Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ambika Soni, Janardan Dwivedi, P Chidambaram, besides former chief ministers Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Ashok Gehlot, Shiela Dikshit and Prithviraj Chavan.