History awaits at 1, Safdarjung Road, Delhi

New Delhi: If one has 40 minutes with him then it is sufficient to be a part of history. If the answer is yes, then here there is a very common residence in Delhi, located in 1, Safdarjung Road, one can get into. Once there lived a finest citizen of India, non other than the first woman Prime Minister of our country. Now this has been a familiar tourist destination to both the domestic and international tourists. This is Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum, the same bungalow where Mrs. Gandhi lived in her life time. Everything was alright till 31st October 1984, the unforgettable black day on which she was brutally assassinated by two of her own bodyguards while in the garden. Keeping her in mind the Indian government converted the resident in to a memorial site.

The entry is free and one can make use of the camera, as it is not restricted inside. There are various items and artifacts from various stages of her life that are kept on display in this museum. Photographs, portraits, diaries, journals and so on are kept intact here and can be viewed by the general public through glass. When one enters the museum can find her personal belongings very well, for a moment giving a great feel of her presence. Her living room, dining room, bed room and library are kept with a perfect touch the way she lived. One can see the sari with blood stains she was wearing on the day of assassination.

There are also a rare collection of photographs of the Nationalist movement, the personal moments of the Nehru-Gandhi family and her childhood photographs with Mahatma Gandhi to later off-duty relaxation with her grandchildren Rahul, Priyanka and Varun. The museum also contains burnt clothes, shoes of Indira Gandhi's son Rajeev Gandhi, which he was wearing at the time of his assassination in a bomb blast in Tamil Nadu in May 1991. He was also one of the former Prime Ministers of lndia.

As one arrives in the gardens outside the museum, can see the spot where Mrs. Gandhi was actually assassinated and fell. Dried blood spots can be seen enclosed in a glass frame at the same spot. It reveals the love and devotion of this great soul for her country and countrymen as well as the determination and strong will to work for the overall welfare of the country.

The Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum is one of Delhi's famous visiting spots. It gives tourists information about one of the country's most famous politicians. Even today Indira Gandhi's work for the welfare of women is being carried out. She contributed tremendously to the country's social welfare. People come here to pay homage to one of India's most beloved daughter. It is a pretty structure surrounded by lush greenery. The garden is still well looked after consisting of exotic flowers and plants.

The museum is closed on Sundays and national holidays, tourists can either take local buses from various points within the city to reach this museum or can hire auto-rickshaws and taxis or go by metro rail. The nearest Railway Station is New Delhi Railway Station. Nearest Metro Station is Central Secretariat and Nearest International Airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport. Visit the place and be a part of history within an hour.

Courtesy: Google