Transcript

Topic

Iron Lady of India: Indira Gandhi

Interviewer:

Shirley Kabir

Interviewee:

Zobeda Kabir

Interview Format:

Personal

Interview Date:

31 January, 2015

Interview Location:

Residence
6289 Red Fox Estates Court
Springfield, VA

INTERVIEWER:

Was Indira Gandhi Prime Minister of India during your lifetime?

INTERVIEWEE:

Yes, she was. I was in eighth grade, in class, when the message came that Indira
Gandhi died. Several days later I watched her funeral on television (BTV channel). Eighty-four
leaders of different countries were present at her funeral and Hussain Muhammed Ershad
(Lutenant General) was president of Bangladesh at that time. In ninth grade, I studied in history
that Indira Gandhi helped Bangladesh to be free from West Pakistan. My grandma was big fan of
her.
INTERVIEWER:

Do you think Indira Gandhi made the right decision by intervening into the
Pakistani Civil War? Why?
INTERVIEWEE:

Yes, of course. There were mass killings in the name of war. Pakistan first
attacked Indian military base on December 3rd, 1971 so Indira responded and the same day, she
declared war on West Pakistan. December 16th, West Pakistan surrendered to head of Indian
army, General Arora.
INTERVIEWER:

Indira Gandhis legacy was left in a bitter state after the attack of the Golden
Temple of Amritsar. Do you believe that her legacy should be based on this event? Or should it
be established on the accomplishments that shes achieved in her lifetime?
INTERVIEWEE:

Accomplishments. She was elected as prime minister four times, which is a

symbol for her greatness. With one event you cannot judge someone.
INTERVIEWER:

Was Indiras name a household name growing up? (i.e. was she mention
regularly during your childhood or adulthood?)

INTERVIEWEE:

Yes, always. My dad and mom would mention her name many times and my
maternal grandma would always say "Shes running a big country like India" and "helped
Bangladesh to freedom".
INTERVIEWER:

When Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency and became authoritarian did
your view of her change? How did you feel about her before and after she changed her policies?
INTERVIEWEE:

It was required to handle the situation. She had to take a tough decision; any
leader has to take it.
INTERVIEWER:

Indira Gandhi did not complete her degree in Oxford University; does this make
her unintelligent or irrational? Would you consider this a fault in her personality? Do you think
this made an impact on the way she led India?
INTERVIEWEE:

No, she inherited the leadership quality. She learned from the world, the degree
has nothing to do with it.
INTERVIEWER:

Indira Gandhi believed that she had a divine mission to save her country, similar
to the heroine Joan of Arc. Do you think that during the time period she served as prime minister
that she accomplished her mission?
INTERVIEWEE:

She did and it was said that because of her loss in 1984, India went back dated
20 years from growth and development. If she was alive, she would have helped India prosper
many generations ahead.
INTERVIEWER:

In your opinion, whats the most memorable contribution of Indira Gandhi?

Why?
INTERVIEWEE:

Freedom of Bangladesh would have taken longer, or they would have lost
without her interference more people, more blood.
INTERVIEWER:

Define Indira Gandhi in one/ two word(s):

INTERVIEWEE:

Mother India.