Indira Gandhi

A quilt square in honesty by a former female world leader as a letter delivered in truth and service.

Excerpts from an 11-page letter to the future President.

As the only woman Prime Minister of India so far, Indira led India for three consecutive terms, with barely a 3-year break in her service.  She speaks bluntly about her life and about her regrets regarding her leadership, offering a gentle wish that other world leaders might learn from her choices, actions, and regrets.

“During my last term, I met with death—abruptly and with no mercy.  

Because of my decisions and actions, I—from here—had a period of inner turmoil, feeling responsible for the Sikh massacres—losing thousands and thousands of people angered by my intolerance of their beliefs.

 

I mishandled something that set back my nation. What I did in ignoring the Sikh cry for fairness was a wrong move. It cost me my life at a time when I wanted to effect good and great things for the people and lands of our sub-continent.”

 

In reflecting now on what she was, Indira shares the following message with him, in tears, as she shares her inner regrets.

“I was too motivated by other needs and thoughts to consider the Sikhs’ pleas for religious freedom. How could I have played God?  Why did I play God? 

 

That my own bodyguards delivered the blows (of my death) caught me in disbelief.  There was no mystery of who or why. They disagreed with my plans for the Sikh population, and their retaliation brought on widespread war and a large number of casualties.”

 

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In sharing her personal history, the former Prime Minister explains that while not a blood relative of Mahatma Gandhi, her childhood was strongly influenced by her parents’ devotion to his teaching and example.

“My father and my mother, who was a respected activist in her own right, often turned to the wisdom of our esteemed Mahatma Gandhi, both politically and personally. Inspired by Mr. Gandhi’s ways, they emphasized the importance of spiritual temperance by encouraging moderation in ourselves and advocating for a peaceful positioning of our government.”

 

Indira explains that her mother died when she was young, and that although solitary when she was younger, she found her father’s company fascinating, and learned much ‘at his heels’, as she travelled the world with him.  In addressing the future President, she comments on similarities in his relationship with his father.   

“It seems we share a past similar in a few ways, such as our father’s distance from us during periods of our lives. I believe, like you, I always wanted and worked hard to please mine.

 

Believing in yourself was how you showed strength to your parents, to the business world, to the women in your life, your children—not that you are devoid of fatherly ‘bones’ within you, but that you, as did your father, also rule with your own iron fist.”

In comparing her previous leadership style with that of the President-elect, Indira describes herself as also being known for her “iron fist.”

“I was not what one might call greatly beloved. I was a more taking-care-of-business leader until the business of politics in 1980s India took my life. I may well have had a brash approach, a word which may also have been used to describe you.   

 

Although not one given to much emotion, I must tell you that in this somber moment, I have the equivalent of tears as I deliver this message that I hope will reach you.  You are a dear man—a Soul, first and foremost …. But, at the same time, you are misled by other things pulling upon your heartstrings and head-strings that lure you into wielding a power that could hinder your nation and the world just as it is ready to spring forward …toward a much-needed newness.

 

Greatness is an interesting word.  It is your byword. And your symbol. And yet, as you have not totally defined it, … It is an adjective in need of a definition.”

In concluding her letter to the future President, Indira states:

“I come before you, President-elect Trump, admitting from the core of my being that I did not demonstrate true love as much as I could have during my rulership because I didn’t love the people enough. I focused on policy and procedure first, seeking loyalty and the triumph of Indian rule— “

She emphasizes the need for rebuilding and reconstructing, as all voices are heard and listened to, including the voices that did not vote for the President-elect.   As she speaks of the choices he must make, she emphasizes again that his soul’s choice would be better than his mind’s choice.

She reminds him of the great oath he will soon take and of the many women here in spirit who have come to encourage him.   

“We, women from different aspects of governance and life experience, come to speak to you in honesty.  Being here now, we can see much farther than you.

Reach, Mr. Trump. Reach for the “unreachable’ stars. Such gesture will not speak less of your greatness, rather it will trumpet your integrity by stepping aside in true service to your America and the world as you willingly welcome the era of peace!”

She finishes with a reminder to the future President that Jack Kennedy has urgent messages for him and suggests that he 

“Please go back and read his urgings and his outline of potential strategies.”