New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid heartfelt tributes to two of India’s most formidable female figures, Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, on their respective birth anniversaries.
In separate messages, the Prime Minister acknowledged their significant contributions to the nation’s history and development, celebrating the warrior queen’s valor in the freedom struggle and the political legacy of India’s first and only female premier.
Remembering the heroic queen of Jhansi, a pivotal figure in the 1857 Indian Rebellion, Prime Minister Modi said her tale of bravery continues to inspire passion and enthusiasm among Indians.
In a post on X, he wrote, “A respectful tribute to Mother India’s immortal warrior queen, Rani Lakshmibai, on her birth anniversary. The story of her bravery and valor in the first war of independence still fills the hearts of the countrymen with zeal and passion today. The grateful nation can never forget her sacrifice and struggle for safeguarding the honour of the motherland.”
Rani Lakshmibai famously defied the British with the declaration, “Main apni Jhansi nahin doongi” (I shall not give away my Jhansi), and led a fierce defense of her kingdom . Her courageous resistance against the forces of Sir Hugh Rose, even after escaping to continue the fight alongside leaders like Tantia Tope, has cemented her as an eternal symbol of India’s fight for freedom.
The Prime Minister also paid homage to former Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi on the occasion of her birth anniversary. “Tributes to former PM Smt. Indira Gandhi Ji on the occasion of her birth anniversary,” PM Modi stated in a post on X.
Indira Gandhi, a towering figure in Indian politics, served as Prime Minister for multiple terms and was known for her decisive leadership and transformative policies. Her tenure was marked by landmark events such as the nationalization of 14 major banks in 1969 to promote financial inclusion, the “Garibi Hatao” (Remove Poverty) campaign that led to a landslide victory in 1971, and India’s victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
While her legacy also includes controversial periods like the State of Emergency (1975-1977), her contributions to India’s industrial and agricultural growth remain a significant part of her complex and powerful political journey.
