The first female Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi who is hailed as an “Iron lady” and even called “Durga” by Atal Bihar Vajpayee for her tough decisions. Mrs. Gandhi maintained her image of a strong figure publicly. From taking up as a Prime Minister of India in 1966 to keeping it till 1984 (until her death), her tenure saw various ups and downs. But how was Mrs. Gandhi as a Mother, as a mother-in-law and a grandmother? Indira Gandhi had her will prepared on 4th May 1981. The will show a prime minister as the head of a family who tries to distribute his/her property equally among all the members, keeping the better interest of a responsible member in mind. In the will, the former prime minister asserted that her family’s assets were depleted after independence. She cites the donation of Anand Bhawan as one of the major reasons for the depletion. So, did the former Prime Minister have any biases as a mother or grandmother when it came to the family? Here are the answers to all your questions regarding who got what in Indira Gandhi’s will:
In her will, Indira Gandhi gave her Mehrauli’s small farmhouse to her elder son Rajiv Gandhi’s children Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi as Rajiv has been looking after the farmhouse ever since he came back from London. She wanted the property to be equally distributed among both for which she showed trust in Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi for doing so.
Mrs. Gandhi distributed her copyrights among her grandchildren. She handed over the copyrights on selected works of Jawaharlal Nehru to Feroze Varun Gandhi (Varun Gandhi), which was a project of the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, and on other works of Jawaharlal Nehru to Priyanka Gandhi. She gave copyright on her works to Rahul Gandhi. Also, she expressed to divide her securities and units, equally among her three grandchildren.
Her antique articles (registered with Department of Archeology) and remained jewellery was given to Priyanka Gandhi.
All her private papers and were given to Rahul Gandhi and Books on art, mountains, and original and rare editions of books that are of archival value were entitled to belong to Rahul and Priyanka.
Taxes, remaining bills, and balances were to be paid through the accounts of Indira Gandhi, and the monies that were for her, supposed to be credited in the same accounts. The remaining balance was entitled to be given to Feroze Varun.
Keeping in mind that all three of her grandchildren were minors, Indira Gandhi was given the responsibility to Rajiv and Sonia of handing over the property to them, when they (grandchildren) attain majority.
Unsure of having a share in her son Sanjay Gandhi’s estate, Indira Gandhi expressed her desire to hand over the shares to Sanjay Gandhi’s son Feroze Varun and the responsibility of doing so, was given to Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, until Feroze attains majority.
Indira appointed Rajiv Gandhi as the executor of the will and in the case in any circumstances, he could not do so, the duty would be held by his wife Sonia Gandhi.
