Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India. She lived a long life dedicated to serving the Indian people. Some key points about her leadership: - She was a talented, intellectual and tough leader who helped reduce poverty and increase food production in India. - Gandhi was determined and daring, pursuing her goals even after facing imprisonment from political opponents. - She had a task-oriented leadership style and used slogans like "Garibi Hatao" to mobilize support for eradicating poverty.

1. I917-1984
“I have lived a long life, and I am
proud that I spend the whole of my
life in the service of my people. I am
only proud of this and nothing else. I
shall continue to serve until my last
breath, and when I die, I can say, that
every drop of my blood will invigorate
India and strengthen it.”
INDIRA GANDHI
BY : SRISHTI GUPTA

2. A picture is worth a thousand words
Born on November 19, 1917, Gandhi was
the only first woman Prime Minister of
India and the second longest serving
Indian Prime Minister after Pundit
Jawaharlal Nehru.
Known as “India’s Iron Lady”, she was
one of the most charismatic women
leaders of India.
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3. ROAD TO POWER AND POLITICS
In 1941, Indira became involved in the
Indian Independence Movement
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In 1950s, she served her father
unofficially as a personal assistant
during his time as first PM of India
After father’s death in 1964, was appointed
as a member of the Rajya Sabha (Upper
House)
After Shastri’s Death, Indira
became the first woman
PM of India

4. 4
Followed ‘Machiavellian
Philosophy’
Brought up in a sophisticated family
and born with silver spoonConcentrated on poor,
marginalized and backward
people during elections
Believed in Socialist ideals and
implemented the same in her
administration such as Bank
Nationalization, Abolition of Privy
Purse, Reservations etc.
Successful in Green Revolution
and White Revolution
Certain slogans were imposed by
Gandhi, famous one was ‘Garibi
Hatao’ during 1971 election
campaign

5. SOME QUALITIES OF INDIRA GANDHI
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1.
2.
HIGHLY TALENTED & INTELLECTUAL
TOUGH AND SHREWD
• Managed to be enrolled into Oxford University, one of the World’s best university .
• Showed extra-ordinary political skills when she became the PM of India
• Managed to steer India to a 20% reduction in poverty, increase literacy levels by 30%,
and raise food production to 25%.
488,848,135
Whoa! That’s a huge
population!
• Some of the decisions were hard to make, yet she persisted on
her own decisions, such one incident was of ‘War with Pakistan’
in 1971
• Even after imprisonment, she wanted to regain status of PM of
India.

6. “
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3.
Have a bias toward action- let’s see something
happen now. You can break that big plan into
small steps and take the first step right away. ‘'
DETERMINED/ DARING
• She did not give up easily and majorly contributed in solving problems of
the country.
• Eliminated opponents and narrowed competition (Janata Party at that
time).
• Just with the few speeches after her release from the prison, allowed her to
regain trust of her supporters.
• She survived and succeeded in a male-dominating society.

7. 7
4.
TASK ORIENTED
• Indira Gandhi was an autocratic leader and did everything with an aim.
• She misled in elections to hold on to powers.
• Used theme: ‘Garibi Hatao’ or ‘Eradicate Poverty’ to gain votes.

8. LEADERSHIP STYLES
NON-VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
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1. PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
• Iconic style assimilates a few definitive details- the style of hair, the walk,
a signature accessory and the person’s instinctive use of them as tools of
communication.
• Indira Gandhi put all these to great use. She was one of the most
beautiful woman at that time. She presented variety- a sense of fashion
at that time. Her clothes were bright and colorful, signaling confidence,
comfort in a variety of domains.
• Hundred years after she was born, 33 years after she passed away, yet
her saris stand out in memory and documentation.
• Symbols of Swadeshi in post Independent India, a fine representation of
handwoven textiles which she wore with powerful elegance, developed a
signature attire.
• The white/silver streak has also become her trademark style.

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2. BODY LANGUAGE
• Indira Gandhi’s body language is aspirational, aggressive.
She was a proactive body reaching out to the masses,
seeking the conviviality of conspirational gossip.
• She projects an overt personality which bespoke of her
confidence and authority.
• She created some of her trademark gestures like the ‘folding
hands’ signifies of being assertive, strong willed and
determined. On the other hand, “Pointing figures” signifies
her aggressive nature.

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3. FACIAL EXPRESSIONS
• In terms of facial expressions, Gandhi displayed a serious demeanor most of the time.
• Her face looked tired, but she portrayed the tiredness of responsibility.

11. 11
VERBAL
COMMUNICATION
• Indira Gandhi used her dominant persona and confidence through
effective verbal as well as non-verbal language to catch the attention
of the crowds.
• She begins her speeches in simple Hindi – ‘Bhaiyo, Behano aur Pyaare
Bacho’ and charms her audiences with the simplicity of her style and
expression.
• She was one of the most effective crowd puller and is often
comparable to illustrious prime minister Lal Nehru.
• Her communication skills were instrumental in helping India’s case in
shaping International opinion in 1971 and the liberation of Bangladesh.

12. ANALYSIS OF INDIRA GANDHI
AS A GOOD LEADER
Despite of three main negatives; Separation of Syndicate from the party, Imposition of Emergency and not taking
forward the Pokhran Nuke Test Strike Further, Indira Gandhi is considered as a good leader in our country with:
✘Moral Integrity and Values
✘Autocratic Leadership
✘Empathetic and listening to other’s opinions.
✘Motivating; Charismatic and Appealing
✘Transformational; everlasting impacts
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13. SOME INSPIRING QUOTES
“Every new experience
brings its own maturity
and greater clarity of
vision.”
‘’Opportunities are not
offered . They must be
wrested and worked for.
And this calls for
perseverance….and
courage.’’
‘’There are two kinds of
people, those who do the
work and those who take
the credit. Try to be in the
first group; there is less
competition.’’
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- BY INDIRA GANDHI

14. SOME LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM INDIRA GANDHI’S
LEADERSHIP
JAI HIND!
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488,848,135
• Walk your talk
• Connect with ordinary people emotionally
• Overcome volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA)
• Convert your threats into opportunities
• Encounter the challenges head-on
• Make decisions boldly
• Be tenacious and resilient
• Encourage women empowerment
• Stand by your principles and philosophies

15. REFERENCES
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• http://eloquentwoman.blogspot.com/2013/05/famous-speech-friday-indira-gandhis.html
• https://www.hindustantimes.com/art-and-culture/power-dressing-exhibition-cum-sale-of-indira-gandhi-inspired-saris/story-
N7A3UtaUEaAJ5CS5YF4MfL.html
• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pranab-finds-traits-of-nehru-indira-in-modi/article18586693.ece
• https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/19791231-indira-gandhi-hits-the-campaign-trail-822326-2014-02-15
• https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/08/opinion/india-elections-modi-gandhi.html
• https://m.rediff.com/news/interview/she-played-politics-with-the-ease-of-a-sleepwalker/20170713.htm
• http://www.edchange.org/multicultural/speeches/indira_gandhi_educated.html
• https://leaderonomics.com/life-inspired/leadership-indira-gandhi
• https://www.deccanchronicle.com/opinion/columnists/290618/modi-indira-such-a-lot-of-common-traits.html

16. thanks!
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