Great Soviet Encyclopedia: Indira Gandhi (born 19/11/1917, Ilahabad.) Politician and statesman of India. Daughter of John. Nehru. Education received in the educational institutions in Switzerland, England and India. In 1938 he joined the Indian National Congress (INC). In 1942 she married prominent Congressmen, publisher F. Gandhi. She took an active part in the struggle against British colonial rule. Subjected to repression by the colonial authorities. After winning India's independence (1947) took a prominent position in the INC, which became the ruling party. Since 1955 a member of the Working Committee and a member of the Central Election Commission of the Congress, the chairman of the women's organization of the party and member of the Central Parliamentary Board of the All India Congress Committee. In the 1959-60 chairman of Congress. In 1964 he joined the government LB Shastri as Minister of Information and Broadcasting; in July 1964 he became a member of the National Defence Council. January 19, 1966, after the death of Shastri, was elected leader of the parliamentary faction of the Congress and, by established tradition, as the leader of this faction became prime minister. In 1967, in addition to the post of Prime Minister, the Minister of Atomic Energy took positions, the chairman of the Planning Commission, Minister for Foreign Affairs. In their statements, as head of government has repeatedly stressed the need to maintain the basic principles of the policy Nehru -. India nonparticipation in military blocs, maintaining peace and international cooperation, the further development and strengthening of friendly Soviet-Indian relations, the implementation of the planned development of a national framework for the economy. In 1969-70, despite the resistance of the forces of reaction, nationalized the 14 largest banks. I condemn the US aggression in Vietnam and Israel against Arab countries. After the elections in 1971 again received the post of prime minister, and was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Atomic Energy and the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.