Rare moments of former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's trips to Mumbai

Between the year 1981 and 1984 not one visit that then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi made to the city escaped Mukesh Parpianis lens The 67yearold who is currently head of Piramal Gallery at NCPA was in his early 30s at the time fresh into his first job at the Daily as a news photographer This year marks the 33rd death anniversary of Gandhi who was assassinated in Delhi on October 31 1984 The early 80s were good times for photo journalists Back then it was easy to follow even the Prime MinisterMukesh Parpiani PicRane AshishRight from the time she would land at the airport in the morning till evening when she left or even on occasions when she stayed back I would follow her with my camera It was not hard to convince an MP or politician to allow a ride in the convoy so I could get closer access Most of the photos I shot were taken from a distance of less than five feet recalls Parpiani who would exhaust three roles a day on Gandhi Most times there were no more than six photographers around he tells us And nobody was keen on following her through the day They would take one or two news photos and leave So that made things easier for meThe security personnel around the head of the country was basic Parpiani recalls There would be plainclothed officials from the Mumbai or Delhi Police There were no Black Cat commandos that you see now The lady herself seemed to have no objection either to being snapped Although sometimes she would say bahut ho gaya and signal us to stop There was just one time when Parpiani along with his peers ran into trouble with the security It was a Bombay Natural History Society event where one officer had told us off We stood outside and protested with our cameras down After the event when the PM was on her way out she looked in our direction and said sorry friends One photographer got that shot unfortunately I dont have that picture But it was a moment to remember says Parpiani whose last photograph of Gandhi was two days before she was assassinatedWith Naval officersTwo days before she was assassinated she visited the city to attend a naval function in Navy Nagar Colaba After the event she stayed on to have breakfast with them and mingled with the officers around The officers posed for pictures with the PM this was taken between one of those shots This is my last picture of herBhiwandi relief campIn 1982 there was a HinduMuslim riot in Bhiwandi and Ms Gandhi had paid a visit to the relief camp where both Hindus and Muslims were stationed She was not exactly known for her compassion and this photo captures the cold stare she darted towards a child These were a bunch of Muslim women and one of them pinched this childs cheek hard to make him cry in order to evoke the PMs sympathy Indira of course saw through the ploy which perhaps explains her cold unfeeling stareIn a raincoatIts not too often that you get to spot politicians out of their regular attire This shotof her in a raincoat was therefore interesting She had just landed in Bombay one morning There was a light drizzle and her security provided her with a raincoat Umbrellas were there of course but it made for an unusual picture That was a time when photographers could go right up to the tarmac and wait for the VIP to step out of the aircraft This was taken while she was walking to her carWith Sonia GandhiMrs Gandhi was a close friend of Teji Bachchan Amitabh Bachchans mother When he met with a near fatal accident on the sets of Coolie in 1982 he was admitted in Breach Candy hospital Ms Gandhi flew in with with Sonia to see himIndira with Rajeev GandhiThis was taken outside Shanmukhananda Hall in Sion which was the venue for the annual Congress convention Ms Gandhi left the convention early and Rajeev came out to see her off I shot this picture just before she got into her car He appeared to be obedient softspoken and a thorough gentlemanWith Congress I president Kamalapati TripathiHe was a heavyset fellow and not well at that time This was at a function where the National Anthem was playing and he had trouble standing up Ms Gandhi noticed and lent a helping hand Several leaders were around but nobody came forward This was a front page photo