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Only in India are more women in higher position in politics and public life: Indira Gandhi

On 26 June 1966, Indira Gandhi delivered a speech at the Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women's University in Mumbai, outlining the tasks before Indian women.

We the women of India are indeed fortunate in having outstanding men such as Ram Mohan Roy, Vidyasagar, Mahatma Gandhi, my father and Maharshi Karve to espouse our cause. After Independence, the great liberal mind of Nehru moulded and gave direction to social change, bringing women into the economic and cultural front. It is my belief that it was not out of mere sentimentality but as a recognition of the worth and work of Indian women. The women of India have not indulged in any movements against menfolk. They have always stood shoulder to shoulder with them in support of common causes. About women’s role in our freedom struggle, my father has this to say:

“Most of us menfolk were in prison. Then a remarkable thing happened. Our women came to the front and took charge of the struggle. There was an avalanche of them which took not only the British Government, but their own menfolk by surprise.”

It was my privilege to have witnessed and taken part in this upsurge. I still recall my mother’s passionate desire and ceaseless work for the liberation of Indian women, for giving them greater opportunities of living fuller and more useful lives. It was no easy task at that time and in those circumstances to storm the citadel of reaction. From there to the Hindu Code was a logical development. My father attached great importance to the adoption of the Hindu Code which, in a way, was a real charter of emancipation. He regarded this work as important as that of building up parliamentary institutions and of building, through planning, an egalitarian society cured of acquisitive tendencies.

Thus, the rights of Indian women were won not as a result of the fight of a........

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