According to an Associated Press report released in New York on 18 August, Sonia Gandhi’s memoir will be published this autumn. In the book, she will write about her life in public service, as well as the promises of marriage and tragedies she experienced after marrying into India’s Nehru-Gandhi political family.
Alfred A Knopf announced on Tuesday that Sonia Gandhi’s book, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, will be published on 18 November. Sonia Gandhi, 79, was born in Italy.
Met Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge
Sonia Gandhi was studying in Cambridge, England, when she met Rajiv Gandhi, who later became her husband.
Rajiv Gandhi was the grandson of India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and the son of the country’s first woman Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi.
Entered politics after the assassinations of her mother-in-law and husband
Sonia Gandhi writes in her memoir that her life changed completely after her mother-in-law, Indira Gandhi, was assassinated in 1984. Rajiv Gandhi subsequently became Prime Minister, but seven years later, he too was assassinated.
Sonia Gandhi later entered politics and went on to become the longest-serving president of the Indian National Congress. She also declined her party’s offer to become Prime Minister.
In 2014, her party lost power to the party of the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
In a statement released through Knopf, Sonia Gandhi said, “Heartbreak and loss brought me into the public world of politics. Before that, I had fiercely protected my privacy.”
‘The book honours the humanity of the family’
Sonia Gandhi said, “Much has been written about my family, but very few accounts have reached the truth of their intentions, their work and their very human shortcomings. In many ways, this book honours their humanity.”
She said her story would also give readers a different perspective on the social and political changes she witnessed over six decades in the beautiful country she considers her own.
‘Writing about my life was not easy’
Sonia Gandhi said, “Writing about my life was not easy for me. It meant opening myself up and sharing moments and experiences that I had always kept deeply within me.”
She said that as she distanced herself from politics and looked back, she began to see clearly the thread of love and loyalty running through her story.
That thread stretches from her simple childhood in a small town in Italy to the complex years she spent in India as Rajiv Gandhi’s wife and Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s daughter-in-law.
Rahul and Priyanka also active in politics
The Nehru-Gandhi family remains active in politics. Sonia Gandhi’s two children, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, are members of the lower house of the Indian Parliament from the Congress party.
Rahul Gandhi is the Leader of the Opposition.
