Pioneering Radiologist Recounts Indira Gandhi’s Last Moments in New Memoir

At 90, Dr. Sneh Bhargava, the only woman to lead the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, publishes her memoir detailing her experiences during one of India's most tumultuous periods, including the harrowing day when she confronted Indira Gandhi’s tragic fate.

Dr. Sneh Bhargava's life narrative reflects both personal triumph and historical significance in India’s medical and political spheres. Appointed in 1984 as the first female director of the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, Bhargava carved a path for women in medicine where few had tread. Now 95, she remains actively engaged in the medical community and recently published her memoir, "The Woman Who Ran AIIMS."

Bhargava's most striking memories echo the fateful events of October 31, 1984. That day, she was in her office when she received urgent calls to rush to the casualty ward. Upon arrival, she was faced with the lifeless body of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had fallen victim to an assassination plot orchestrated by her own bodyguards. The once vibrant leader was brought in drenched in blood, leaving Bhargava in shock as she grappled with the gravity of the situation.

In her memoir, Bhargava recounts how she and her medical team had to maintain the facade of treating Gandhi, while the reality was grim—Gandhi had already succumbed to her injuries by the time she arrived at AIIMS. Dr. Bhargava’s reflections reveal her focus on professionalism and patient care amidst chaos, stating, "We had to protect her from further harm," and highlighting her alarm from a surging crowd outside the hospital.

Bhargava also detailed the harrowing process of embalming Gandhi's body, shedding light on the challenges they faced in the aftermath of the assassination, which triggered some of India's bloodiest riots. The story offers a poignant perspective of the intertwining crises of medical emergency and political turmoil.

Throughout her career, Bhargava faced not only the trials of being a woman in a male-dominated field but also political pressures that would challenge her integrity and commitment to patient care. Her account recounts interactions with prominent figures such as Jawaharlal Nehru and her handling of delicate situations involving the Gandhi family, including the near mishap with Rahul Gandhi.

Born in 1930, during a turbulent historical backdrop that included India’s partition, Bhargava’s journey is far from conventional. She emerged as a trailblazer in radiology, battling societal and institutional barriers while championing the importance of the discipline in medicine.

In advocating for women’s empowerment, she emphasizes the significance of family support in nurturing ambitions, urging parents to equally uplift their daughters as they do their sons: “It starts from childhood... They will be able to break glass ceilings and reach for the stars."

Through her memoir, Dr. Bhargava explores not only her professional legacy but also her personal philosophies that resonate with aspiring women everywhere.