Indira Gandhi (1917 – 1984) was the iconic Indian stateswoman who served as the prime minister of India from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.

Mrs Gandhi was India's first and only female prime minister, and a central figure in Indian politics as the leader of the Indian National Congress.

Her cumulative tenure of 15 years and 350 days makes her the second-longest-serving Indian prime minister after her father.

Mrs Gandhi was the world's second female prime minister after Sirimavo Bandaranaike when she became prime minister of India and she led the Congress to victory in two subsequent elections.

Mrs Gandhi faced the Sikh separatist movement throughout her fourth premiership and, on 31 October 1984, she was assassinated by two of her bodyguards, both of whom were Sikh nationalists.

Mrs Gandhi is remembered as one of the most powerful women in the world. Her supporters cite her leadership during victories over geopolitical rivals China and Pakistan, the Green Revolution, a growing economy in the early 1980s, and her anti-poverty campaign that led her to be known as Mother Indira among the country's poor and rural population.

In 1999, she was named "Woman of the Millennium" in an online poll organised by the BBC.

FROM MY PRIVATE COLLECTION, HERE IS A WONDERFUL, 1980, OFFICIAL, CHRISTMAS CARD FROM MRS GANDHI :)

The card is approx 13.5-inches by 5-inches when opened.

The card remains in mint condition.

Mrs Gandhi completed the card in black ink.

Mrs Gandhi's completion is permanent.

Mrs Gandhi's completion is perfectly legible, crystal clear and completely free from any stains, smears or bleeding.

Magnificent item from one of the truly remarkable figures of the 20th century.

As always - no nonsense - I GUARANTEE THE AUTHENTICITY OF THIS AND EVERY SIGNATURE IN MY COLLECTION FOR LIFE or your money back and I put that in writing too!