Rajiv Gandhi | Business Upturn

Sonia Gandhi: The devoted spouse who was forced to save the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty

Aayush Agarwal — Thu, 04 Aug 2022 11:55:23 +0000

Sonia Gandhi is the President of the Indian National Congress. The then Italian national was an 18-year-old student at a small language college in Cambridge and worked as a part-time waitress.

She was born in a small village near Vicenza, Italy and was raised in a Roman Catholic family. She moved for language classes to Cambridge where she met her future husband Rajiv Gandhi, and later married him in 1968.

Soon after marrying into Indian political royalty, she led a happy life as a devoted wife, daughter-in-law and mother of 2 children bearing the Gandhi grace. Her mother-in-law was Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India and that threw Sonia quite as anticipated in front of the press.

However, of Indira Gandhi’s 2 children, the younger Sanjay Gandhi was expected to take hold of his mother’s reigns. Thus, in the future the heir would contest in elections taking aboard his mother’s constituency allowing the Gandhi line to fall into the Prime Minister’s office again.

Sonia Gandhi after moving to India started living with her mother-in-law, the then-Prime Minister of India at her New Delhi residence. However, she kept away from the public sphere.

Sonia and Rajiv both avoided any involvement in politics of any kind. Rajiv worked as an airline pilot while Sonia took care of her family. She spent considerable amount of time with her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi. In a 1985 interview with the Hindi-language magazine Dharmyug, Sonia said. “She [Indira] showered me with all her affection and love”.

Unfortunately, Sanjay Gandhi died instantly succumbing to his head wounds in an air plane crash. Which took place on the 23rd of June, 1980. Near the Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi while he was flying a new aircraft of the Delhi Flying Club. And in attempts to successfully perform an aerobatic maneuver which was over his held aviation office, Sanjay lost control and crashed.

The only passenger in the plane who was Captain Subhash Saxena also died present in the crash.

The Heir is dead, Crown the Spare

The death of Sanjay Gandhi impacted the political future of India. His death led his mother to induct her other son Rajiv Gandhi into politics. Thus, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi by her bodyguard, Rajiv succeeded her as Prime Minister of India.

When Rajiv entered politics in 1982 after the death of his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi. Sonia continued to focus on her family and avoided all contact with the public.

As the prime minister’s wife she acted as his official hostess and also accompanied him on a number of state visits.

The Gandhis seen with the former King Juan Carlos I & Queen Sophia of Spain

With the former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Claus, the former queen’s late husband

With Prince Charles and late Princess Diana of Wales

The Gandhi Heiress: Sonia Maino

She started her political career after her husband, Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination when she was pleaded by the party to join them. Gandhi was invited by Congress leaders to lead the party, but she declined. She agreed to join politics in 1997 after much pleading from the party; the following year, she was nominated for party president, and elected over Jitendra Prasada.

Sonia Gandhi was a homemaker who was pushed into the shadows of politics. Since, she refused to succeed him as the Congress president and prime minister, the party settled on the choice of P. V. Narasimha Rao. Later, he became the Prime Minister after winning elections that year.

However, over the next few years, Congress fortunes continued to weaken and the party lost the 1996 elections. Several senior leaders such as Madhavrao Sindhia, Rajesh Pilot, Narayan Dutt Tiwari, Arjun Singh, Mamata Banerjee, P. Chidambaram and Jayanthi Natarajan openly revolted against former Congress President Sitaram Kesri.

These quitters of Congress created their own factions later on.

With no choice left, Sonia Gandhi was forced to prevent her late husband and his dynastical family’s legacy from falling apart. In an effort to recover from a fall from grace, she joined the Congress Party as a primary member in the Calcutta Plenary Session in 1997. Later becoming the party leader in 1998.

In May 1999, three senior leaders of the party (Sharad Pawar, P. A. Sangma, and Tariq Anwar) challenged her right to try to become India’s Prime Minister. Since she was of foreign origin (Italian). In this response, she offered to resign as party leader. This resulted in outpouring support. The 3 rebels were hence kicked out from the party and formed their own Nationalist Congress Party.

Within 62 days of joining as a primary member, she was offered the party President post which she accepted.

She contested Lok Sabha elections from Bellary, Karnataka and Amethi, Uttar Pradesh in 1999. She won both seats but chose to represent Amethi. In Bellary, she had defeated veteran BJP leader, Sushma Swaraj

Under her leadership, the Congress went on to form the government post the 2004 elections in coalition with other centre-left political parties. Gandhi has since been credited for being instrumental in formulating the United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Which was re-elected to power in 2009. Gandhi declined the premiership following the 2004 victory; she instead led the ruling alliance and the National Advisory Council.

Throughout her political career, she has been the topic of conversation revolving around her foreign birth.

In December 2017, She stepped down as the Congress president citing health concerns. But returned to lead the party in August 2019. Although she has never held any public office in the Government of India. Gandhi has been widely referred to as one of the most powerful politicians in the country. And is often credited as one of the most powerful women in the world.

In accordance with a successful and long political career of 22 years, Sonia Gandhi has also drawn criticism relating to the Bofors scandal and more recently the National Herald money laundering case. The National Herald case is still being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate and Sonia Gandhi has been summoned by the agency for questioning. Her son Rahul Gandhi and few of the other party leaders have already been questioned by the central agency.

The Italian college freshman who found duty in her new family kept away from the galore of fame. It was in this thriving political dynasty where she was coronated against her wishes as the heiress to continue the family legacy. The Indian politician Sonia Gandhi continues to hold office as the Congress President and a member of the Lok Sabha.

After SC orders release, Perarivalan’s family turns emotional

United News of India (UNI) — Wed, 18 May 2022 07:04:31 +0000

Chennai, May 18: Minutes after the Supreme Court ordered release of A.G.Perarivalan, one of the seven life convicts in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, emotional scenes were witnessed at his Jolarpettai residence in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu on Wednesday. Perarivalan, his mother Arputhammal, father Kuildasan and his family members and relatives were moved to tears as the Supreme Court, in a rare case, invoked its extraordinary powers to do complete justice under Article 142 of the Constitution ordered the release of Perarivalan, ending his long incarceration for over 30 years. The family members of Perarivalan, who was on bail to aid his ailing father, celebrated his release by distributing sweets and by hugging each other, as the family turned emotional. Locals also joined the celebrations as Perarivalan himself distributed sweets to the people.

Perarivalan’s parents expressed happiness over his release and thanked all those who stood by them in the prolonged legal battle. “it’s a victory for a mother’s three decade long legal battle to secure her son’s release”, political leaders said. “I am extremely happy”, Kuildasan told reporters. “I thank all those who supported us in our long legal battle”, he said. Arputhammal told reporters that her son’s release marked the culmination of a 31-year-long battle. “I am at a loss of words…I don’t know what to say”, she said. She thanked the Tamil Nadu government and Chief Miniser M.K.Stalin for granting parole. And the High Court for releasing him on bail. She also thanked leaders of all political parties for supporting her son’s release. Peraraivalan, while talking to reporters, said “the truth and justice is on our side.

The strong confidence that I did not commit any wrongdoing gave the strength for me and my mother to win this legal battle”. “My mother was my strength and it helped us win this legal battle”, he said and thanked his parents for having stood with him for 30 years during my incarceration in Vellore jail. He also thanked the media, police and all those who supported him. He also recalled the submission given by a police officer before the CBI in 2013 that he had failed to record the statement of Perarivalan that he was innocent. Leaders of various political parties, including MDMK General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP Vaiko, CPI leaders D.Raja and Mutharasan, Congress leader Su.Thirunavukkarasar, CPI-M leaders, BJP State Chief K.Annamalai, Tamil Nationalist Movement leader Pazha Nedumaran hailed the Apex Court order.

They also demanded that the remaining six convicts should also be released in line. With the Supreme court order. Which had said Perarivalan’s order is applicable to them also. It may be recalled that the State Cabinet had on on September 9, 2018. Recommended to the then Governor Banwarilal Purohit that all seven be released under Article 161 of the Constitution. The convicts–Nalini, T. Suthendraraja alias Santhan, Sriharan alias Murugan (Nalini’s husband), A.G. Perarivalan alias Arivu, Robert Payas, S. Jayakumar alias Jayakumaran, and Ravichandran alias Ravi–have been in jail for over 30 years. Santhan, Murugan, Payas and Jayakumar are Sri Lankan Tamils. Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a LTTE human bomb Dhanu at an election rally in Sriperumbudur, about 40 km from Chennai on May 21, 1991. Fifteen others, including nine policemen, were killed in the explosion and 43 people were injured.

The Special Investigation Team which probed the assassination had filed chargesheet against 41 accused, of whom 26 were tried. A dozen LTTE operatives, including one of the masterminds Sivarasan and his accomplice Shuba, committed suicide. Three were declared absconders. While the trial court awarded death penalty to all the 26 accused. The Supreme Court released 19 of them and upheld capital punishment for Nalini, Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan. And commuted the death sentence to life in the case of three others. In April 2000, Governor Fathima Beevi commuted Nalini’s death sentence. While the remaining three black warrant prisoners obtained a reprieve from the Supreme Court in February 2014. Citing inordinate delay by the President in deciding on their mercy petitions.

Supreme Court orders release of Rajiv Gandhi assassination suspect AG Perarivalan

Aryan Jakhar — Wed, 18 May 2022 06:27:02 +0000

Invoking powers under Article 142 of the Constitution, the Supreme Court ordered the release of AG Perarivalan, a convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case. The Supreme Court decided that the Governor’s excessive delay in resolving Perarivalan’s early release petition under Article 161 justified his release.

Perarivalan, who had spent more than 30 years in prison, complained to the court about the delay in his release. Despite the Tamil Nadu government’s request to commute his sentence in 2018. The case saw a judicial battle over. Who had the proper authority to decide the remission plea: the President or the Governor.

The Tamil Nadu State Cabinet decided to award remission to Perarivalan on relevant factors. According to a bench led by Justices L Nageswara Rao and BR Gavai. The Court further stated that the governor of Tamil Nadu’s excessive delay in exercising his duties under Article 161 of the Constitution can be challenged in court. It refused to accept the Union Government’s argument that. The President had sole authority to award remission in cases involving Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Arguing that otherwise, the Governor’s powers under Article 161 would become otiose. The State Government is well within its authority. Hence, according to the Bench, to assist and advise the Governor in pardon/remission petitions involving murder convictions.

Top 10 unknown & interesting facts about Rajiv Gandhi

Cheryll Jain — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 10:30:55 +0000

Rajiv Gandhi, an Indian politician and parliamentarian, was the youngest ever Prime Minister of India. The third consecutive member of his family to hold the post, Rajiv Gandhi became Prime Minister at only the age of 40 in 1984, shortly after his mother’s assassination.

Born on August 20, 1944, in Bombay, he was a mere three years of age when India attained independence. As his grandfather was sworn in as the first Prime Minister of India, his family migrated to New Delhi from Lucknow. Rajiv Gandhi spent much of his childhood with his grandfather in the Teen Murti House, where his mother was the Prime Minister’s hostess.

Despite hailing from a renowned family of freedom fighters and politicians, Rajiv Gandhi had little interest in the field himself. After completing his early education in Dehradun, he enrolled in Imperial College, London for his higher studies. During his time in London, he enrolled in a course in Mechanical Engineering.

His true passion had always been flying. Therefore, upon his return to India, he took the entrance exam for the Delhi Flying Club and passed with flying colours. He would eventually go on to obtain a commercial licence and officially become a pilot for Indian Airlines, a domestic carrier of the time.

It was the death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi in 1980 due to a plane crash that would inevitably push Rajiv into the political arena. He faced pressure from both inside the Congress Party as well as from outside forces to assist his mother, then Prime Minister, in overseeing the running of the country. Winning the by-elections held due to his Brother’s death, he became the Member of Parliament from the Amethi constituency of Uttar Pradesh.

The world tasted the true essence of his leadership for the first time during the Asian Games held in India in 1982. Rajiv Gandhi was entrusted with ensuring the timely construction of the required infrastructure, and the smooth running of the games. He took the challenge head-on and succeeded too.

It was yet another tragic event that propelled Rajiv Gandhi to the post of Prime Minister. After the vicious assassination of his mother in 1984, he was left with no choice but to follow through with the responsibility he was charged with. In a landslide victory during the elections held in 1984, the Congress Party claimed 401 out of the 508 Lok Sabha seats and Rajiv Gandhi was named the Prime Minister of India.

Rajiv Gandhi was a pragmatic leader and was known to seek counsel from other members of his party and abstained from making reckless decisions. His administration took strenuous measures to reform the government bureaucracy and liberalise the country’s economy. His stint as a political leader was short, and though he expressed his reluctance in gaining the leadership role, his work as the Prime Minister of the country proved that he too could lead the country well.

Here are 10 facts you might not know about Rajiv Gandhi:

On 20 August every year, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi is observed as Sadbhavana Diwas or Harmony Day.

Rajiv Gandhi went to Welham Boys’ School in Dehradun for some time but soon he was enrolled into the elite Doon School located in the foothills of the Himalayas. Later, his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi was also sent to this school where the two completed their early education together.

Rajiv Gandhi was very enthusiastic about music. He appreciated Western and Hindustani classical and modern music. He also had a passion for listening to the radio and often indulged in photography.

After his death, his wife, Sonia Gandhi came out with the book “Rajiv’s World: Photographs by Rajiv Gandhi”. The book has photographs clicked by Rajiv over four decades and spans categories such as nature, wildlife and portraits.

After completing his A-levels in London, Rajiv Gandhi studied engineering at Trinity College in Cambridge. However, after studying there for three years, he did not obtain a degree. He then went on to study mechanical engineering at Imperial College London but did not complete his studies there either.

In 1981, just a year after he made his debut into the realm of politics, Rajiv Gandhi was made the president of the Indian Youth Congress, the younger congress faction.

Rajiv Gandhi was given the title of Mr Clean upon his entry into politics as his lack of prior association with the sector had left his image so untarnished that the opposition could seldom find something about him to criticise.

Rajiv Gandhi was the last member of the renowned Nehru-Gandhi family to hold the position of prime minister in India.

On May 21, 1991, while on an election campaign at Sriperumbudur near Chennai, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a human bomb that killed 17 others and left 44 injured. The attack was planned by a militant group from Sri Lanka.

He was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna in 1991, by the Indian government.

Top 10 motivational & inspirational quotes by Rajiv Gandhi

Ayisha Farah — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 08:30:34 +0000

India’s sixth and youngest Prime Minister so far, Rajiv Gandhi, was one of modern India’s most famous political leaders. His vision, ideas and Rajiv Gandhi quotes inspire the nation. Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as the Prime Minister of India at a highly crucial time after the assassination of Indira Gandhi. While dealing with sensitive international issues like the cold war and Sri Lankan Civil war, Rajiv Gandhi also ushered India’s computer and telecom revolution and the Panchayati Raj, which were essential landmarks in the history of modern India.

We bring you some of the most significant and influential Rajiv Gandhi quotes.

1. “India missed the Industrial Revolution; it cannot afford to miss the Computer Revolution.”

2. “For some days, people thought that India was shaking. But there are always tremors when a great tree falls.”

3. “She was mother not only to me but to the whole nation. She served the Indian people to the last drop of her blood.”

4. “Education must be a great equaliser in our society. It must be the tool to level the differences that our various social systems have created over the past thousands of years.”

5. “Our task today is to bring India to the threshold of the twenty-first century, free of burden of poverty, legacy of our colonial past, and capable of meeting the rising aspirations of our people.”

6. “Women are the social conscience of a country. They hold our societies together.”

7. “Development is not about factories, dams and roads. Development is about people. The goal is material, cultural and spiritual fulfilment for the people. The human factor is of supreme value in development.”

8. “India is an Old country but a young nation… I am young and I too have a dream, I dream of India Strong, Independent, Self-Reliant and in the front rank of the nations of the world, in the service of mankind.”

9. “Our task today is to bring India to the threshold of the twenty-first century, free of burden of poverty, legacy of our colonial past, and capable of meeting the rising aspirations of our people.”

10. “Better a brain drain than a brain in the drain.”

11. “Development is not about factories, dams and roads. Development is about people.”

12. “Our biggest poverty alleviation programme is to improve the living standard of our farmers.”

13. “We must be clear that secularism as we understand is not only anti-religion or non-religion; it is only the separation of government from religion.”

14. “A responsive administration is tested most at the point of interface between the administration and the people.”

15. “India is indivisible. Secularism is the bedrock of our nationhood. It implies more than tolerance. It involves an active effort for harmony. No religion preaches hatred and intolerance.”

Rajiv Gandhi led Congress to the most significant victory in India’s electoral history in the 1985 General Elections, winning 404 out of the 514 contested seats. Despite several revolutionary policies, Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure was also scarred by the memories of anti-Sikh riots, the Shah Bano case, the Ayodhya Temple issue and charges of rampant corruption like the Bofors scam. This ultimately led to his electoral defeat in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by the members of the LTTE in 1991. He had several years of political career and statesmanship cut short by his untimely death in a public meeting during the election campaign.