Education news
Indira Gandhi Education Journey: From Shanti Niketan to Oxford University
· Source: Amar Ujala
India's first woman Prime Minister Indira Gandhi pursued her education across schools in India, Switzerland, England, Shanti Niketan, and Oxford. However, she had to leave Oxford University after about a year due to health reasons without completing her graduation degree.
Early Life and Schooling Across Countries
Indira Gandhi was born on 19 November 1917 in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) to Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru. Due to her family's involvement in the freedom struggle, her father's frequent absences, and her mother's illness, her schooling took place across multiple cities and countries.
- Ecole Nouvelle and Ecole Internationale in Geneva, Switzerland
- Pupils' Own School in Pune and Mumbai
- Badminton School in Bristol, England
- Home study guided by family members
Education at Shanti Niketan and Oxford University
From 1934 to 1935, Indira Gandhi studied at Rabindranath Tagore's Shanti Niketan in West Bengal, where learning focused on nature, art, music, literature, discipline, and self-reliance. She stayed for about a year before leaving due to her mother's ill health and the family's travel abroad for medical treatment. Later in 1937, she enrolled at Somerville College, Oxford University, to study Modern History.
| Institution / Landmark | Period / Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Birth in Allahabad | 19 November 1917 | Only child of Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru |
| Shanti Niketan, West Bengal | 1934–1935 | Studied in Rabindranath Tagore's open educational environment |
| Somerville College, Oxford | 1937 | Began studying Modern History; left after about one year |
Clarification on Higher Education and Degrees
According to official details from Somerville College, Indira Gandhi could not complete her degree at Oxford University. Due to health-related issues, she had to leave the college after roughly one year. While she did not obtain an undergraduate degree from Oxford, she later received honorary doctorates from various universities worldwide in recognition of her work and achievements.
Questions
Did Indira Gandhi complete her degree from Oxford University?
No, she enrolled at Somerville College, Oxford, in 1937 to study Modern History but had to leave after about a year due to health issues without completing her degree.
When did Indira Gandhi study at Shanti Niketan?
She studied at Shanti Niketan in West Bengal between 1934 and 1935.
Which schools did Indira Gandhi attend abroad?
She studied at Ecole Nouvelle and Ecole Internationale in Geneva, Switzerland, and Badminton School in Bristol, England.
What subject did Indira Gandhi choose to study at Oxford University?
She chose to study Modern History at Somerville College, Oxford University.
Written in English by Disha Stars from the Amar Ujala report (read the original in Hindi). Check dates and links on the official website before you act.
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