Sonia Gandhi's story represents the greatest transformational journey made by any world leader in the last four decades. Circumstance and tragedy, rather than ambition, paved her path to power. Born into a traditional, middle-class Italian family, Sonia met and fell in love with Rajiv Gandhi, son of future Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi and grandson of Jawaharlal Nehru, while studying English in Cambridge. Cruelly tested by the assassinations of her mother-in-law and of her husband, Sonia grew into a strong, authoritative but always private figure, now president of a coalition ruling over a billion people in the world's largest democracy. Through exclusive interviews with members of Sonia's party, political opponents and family friends, Rani Singh casts new light on Sonia. In the first mainstream biography of this inspirational figure, the author's compelling narrative retraces the path of the brave and beautiful Sonia Gandhi, examining what her life and legacy mean for India.
In the year 1965, Sonia Maino, a 19-year-old Italian student met a young Indian boy, Rajiv Gandhi, while they were both studying in Cambridge. She was born into a modest family in suburban Turin, where her father was a strict man who kept a close eye on his three daughters. Much to his chagrin, his painfully-shy middle daughter, of whom he was especially protective, fell in love with a man belonging the most powerful family in India. This marked the beginning of a story unlike any other - of a carefree Italian girl who was compelled to take on the murky world of rajneeti. With information sourced from close friends and colleagues, this book examines how Sonias courage, honesty and dedication have made her a leader in the eyes of one-sixth of humanity. From her idyllic childhood to her passionate love affair and from her days as a docile daughter-in-law to her current status of being the only Indian politician to have refused prime ministership.
This book is a portrait of Rajiv Gandhi by the person who knew him best: his wife Sonia. It is in four parts, the first and last being in the nature of meditations - one in words, the other in images. In the first, Sonia Gandhi reveals Rajiv through recollections and reflections, delicate and restrained in tone but powerful in resonance. In the last, Rajiv discloses the essence of himself in a gallery of his own photographs. The biographical narrative in between progresses through pictures and extended captions, interweaving Rajiv's personal history with the milieu in which it unfolded.
Contributed papers presented at the International Conference on Peace, Non-violence, and Empowerment: Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century, convened by the Indian National Congress in New Delhi on January 29-30, 2007.
Sonia Gandhi was born in Orbassano-a small town in Italy near Turin on 9th of December 1946. She was full of life and a bubbly youngster who wanted to be a teacher. She met Rajiv Gandhi when she was studying in London. Both developed an instant liking for each other which resulted in marriage and Sonia became a member of Gandhi family. This introduced her to politics in the later stage of her life and made her the top politician of the biggest democracy in the world. But after reaching on top the way she refused the top post, that of a Prime Minister, made her the best amongst such politicians who are in politics merely for their lust for posts and power. So what if she could not become a teacher she has definately given a teaching to Indian politics.
Remarkable for their sensitivity and humour, and replete with vivid descriptions of major personalities and events of their times, the letters chart Indira Gandhi's developments from a shy school girl into a charismatic political leader.
Sonia Gandhi: The Power Part I is a book I have pleasure in presenting to the curious reader/s and the critics I hope who respect the power in what I love to believe is a phenomenal career in politics. The reason for writing this book is purely as a source of inspiration to many women like myself who struggle to live a challenging life abroad. What acceptance means to people who work abroad is perhaps something I have struggled to express as when there is no acceptance of the ideals, they fail to flourish as they should do. I sincerely hope with globalization, people and values be widely accepted regardless of the religion, colour, creed, race, and nationality and there be no discrimination on such a basis or characteristic. It is but sad to see many ideals and values being crushed as they do not represent a particular nation, a particular religion, a particular race, a particular language, a particular gender, and the list of characteristics seems to never be protected. Imagining there be one whole world of peace where discrimination ceases is but a dream of possibility I wished a reader could imagine after reading this book. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, I strongly feel, should be accepted, accepted for her strong determination to work against odds to work for the larger good of the society. Now if this society means a region outside of where she was born, I feel she deserves in fact greater respect, and it is but appalling to see the contrary gaining importance. Dear reader/s and critics, I welcome you to embrace to respect the power of Mrs. Gandhi in enduring the sacrifices of her dear husband, late Rajiv Gandhi, and her dear mother-in-law, late Indira Gandhiji, and perhaps the power of determination and strength to work against odds with respect and consideration. I simply fail to understand why Mrs. Gandhi has been largely misunderstood. This book attempts to inspire a reader appreciate the power of sacrifice, patience, determination, and resilience in Mrs. Gandhi. This book also revives the strong principles of Mrs. Gandhi’s unity, tolerance, and freedom, which Mrs. Gandhi’s congress party stands for, which were perhaps forgotten in the 2014 elections.
