1980 was the year of Amitabh Bachchan, when the superstar became a one-man industry, with lakhs of people paying to watch
him dance, sing and fight. It was the year when (badminton star) Prakash Padukone won the world championships – for India, for his many fans, and for himself.
1980 was also the year that Indira Gandhi stormed back to power – and the shock treatment of the Emergency was a distant memory soon forgotten.
“Grief does not go away but…I have to do my duty” said Indira Gandhi referring to the tragic loss of her younger son in a plane accident. Did the pressure of governance begin to tell upon her? Indeed, after the tragedy, Indira Gandhi appeared less firm and decisive than before…On the economic front, however, there was the beginning of liberalization as the administration – for the first time since 1969 – allowed a large number of foreign collaborations.
But the year is also remembered for the “Bhagalpur Blindings” – when overzealous policemen displayed their barbarity by pouring acid into the eyes of local criminals.