Indira Gandhi left indelible imprint on nation: Sonia

Congress Parliamentary Party chairman Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi left "an indelible imprint" on the country and that even her critics recognised there was an unchanging core to her personality that defined who she was and what she did.

Speaking at a function on the former PM's birth anniversary, Sonia Gandhi said: 'Indira Gandhi left an indelible imprint on our country. She continues to be admired and applauded for her numerous achievements. Even her critics recognise that there was an unchanging core to her personality that defined who she was and what she did. She had fierce commitment to an all-inclusive patriotism, staunch secularism, indomitable courage and fortitude".

Whiling hailing the late PM for "her empathy for the poor and her instinctive rapport with the people and unwavering support to self-reliance in all fields," the Congress leader said Indira Gandhi had "a firm belief in the value of education as an instrument of social emancipation and empowerment".