Following her father’s footstep, Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi – politician and a central figure of the Indian National Congress – was the first and only female prime minister of India to date. So powerful was her influence that to this day, her leadership in India continues to impact many aspiring politicians and the women of India.

Her devotion to her country started at a very young age when she burnt her much-loved doll because the toy was made in England. Sworn in as the prime minister of India on January 24, 1966, she served for two terms. Her support for agricultural improvements led to India’s self-sufficiency in food grain production – Green Revolution. She was also responsible for India’s success in the Pakistan war, which later led to the birth of Bangladesh in 1971 for which awarded Bangladesh’s highest state honor 40 years later.

Her love for humanity knew no bounds especially when she provided refuge for the millions of Pakistani civilians who fled to India to escape the Pakistan army and offered aid to help the refugees. Her legacy continues to ignite through her descendants, Rajiv, Sonia, and Rahul Gandhi.