On the tragic morning of October 31, 1984, Sonia Gandhi, a young wife and mother residing in Delhi's prime ministerial residence, found herself witnessing the assassination of her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, India's prime minister. The fatal attack occurred at Indira's office, just moments after she left for work. Sonia's harrowing account unfolds in Belonging: A Journey of Love, her new memoir, which delves into the tumultuous journey of love and loss, as well as political inheritance.
In the immediate aftermath, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia's husband and Indira's elder son, was summoned from a rally in West Bengal to assume the prime ministership, despite Sonia's initial resistance due to fear for his life. Tragedy struck again in 1991 when Rajiv himself was assassinated. The years that followed were marked by Sonia's retreat from public life, as she struggled to cope with her grief and the demands of her position as head of memorial trusts.
Sonia's memoir also recounts her journey into Indian politics, culminating in her leadership of the Congress party through two general election victories and her emergence as one of India's most influential political figures. The narrative foreshadows further loss and personal challenges as she grappled with the decline of the Congress party and the rising tide of Hindu nationalism, which threatened the secular and pluralistic vision that Indira and Rajiv had championed.
In her memoir, Sonia reflects on her inner conflict regarding her role in Indian politics, ultimately finding solace and resolve through the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The book's most dramatic political scene unfolds seven years later, following Congress's 2004 election victory, as Sonia led the party's campaign and faced calls to assume a more active political role.
Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi's new memoir, offers an intimate portrayal of her life as a young wife and mother in the prime minister's residence, who suddenly found herself amidst political upheaval following the assassination of her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi. The book recounts Sonia's harrowing experience on October 31, 1984, when she heard gunshots in the garden and discovered Indira lying fatally wounded in a car.
In the aftermath, Rajiv Gandhi, her husband and Indira's elder son, became India's prime minister despite Sonia's initial apprehensions about his safety. Tragically, Rajiv was assassinated in 1991, leading to Sonia's withdrawal from public life due to the grief that followed.
Sonia's memoir also details her eventual foray into Indian politics, culminating in her leadership of the Congress party and her emergence as a significant political figure in India. The book paints a vivid picture of Sonia's inner turmoil as she grappled with the decline of the Congress party and the rise of Hindu nationalism, which threatened the secular and pluralistic vision that Indira and Rajiv had advocated for.
To find solace amidst her struggles, Sonia turned to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, ultimately finding the resolve to step into a more active political role. The memoir concludes with the dramatic scene following Congress's 2004 election victory, as Sonia led the party's campaign and faced calls to assume a greater leadership position within Indian politics.
In Belonging: A Journey of Love, Sonia Gandhi provides a deeply personal account of her life as a young wife and mother in India's political elite. The memoir takes readers back to October 31, 1984, when Sonia witnessed the assassination of her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, from the prime minister's residence in Delhi.
The book delves into the aftermath of this tragic event, as Rajiv Gandhi assumed the prime ministership despite Sonia's initial concerns for his safety. Tragically, Rajiv was assassinated in 1991, leading to Sonia's retreat from public life due to her grief.
Sonia's memoir also chronicles her eventual involvement in Indian politics and her rise as a prominent political figure within the Congress party. The book offers an intimate portrayal of the personal challenges she faced during this period, including grappling with the decline of the Congress party and the rising tide of Hindu nationalism, which threatened the secular and pluralistic vision that Indira and Rajiv had championed.
In her memoir, Sonia reflects on her inner conflict regarding her role in Indian politics and the lessons she learned from the Bhagavad Gita, ultimately finding the courage to step into a more active political role. The book concludes with the dramatic scene following Congress's 2004 election victory, as Sonia led the party's campaign and faced calls to assume a greater leadership position within Indian politics.