Synopsis This is the fifth volume of the History of Parliament. It covers a period (1979 - 89) full of triumphs and tragedies, achievements and initiatives, crises and controversies. The seventh Lok Sabha shall be remembered for the unfortunate disturbances in Punjab, and appointment of the Sarkaria Commission, the marathon debate on Mandal Commission report. National achievements included launching of satellites SLV - 3, Apple and SLV -3-D-2, scientific expedition to Antarctica etc. The events in Punjab culminated in the assassination of Smt. Gandhi. Some of the most stormy debates were held during the eighth Lok Sabha period. Debates on matters relating to the purchase of Howitzer guns from the Bofors company of Sweden took more than 64 hours., parliamentary initiatives included the setting up of departmental/ subject - based standing committees of Parliament, introduction of computerisation, televising etc. Voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years and a constitutional amendment out-lawed political defections.