Search:



The Web

Rediff








Home > News > Elections 2004 > Special

The Rediff Special / George Iype

April 13, 2004


Tell us something one did not know about her.

A lot is made today about her foreign origins, but did you know that she is actually the fifth foreigner to become president of the Indian National Congress?

The party web site lists the names of four foreign presidents before Sonia Gandhi -- George Yule, Sir William Wedderburn, Alfred Webb and Sir Henry Cotton.

When did she become an Indian citizen?

1984, 16 years after her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi.

Maiden name?

Sonia Maino. The Mainos are from Orbassano, 80 kilometres from Turin, Italy.

How old is she?

57. Born on December 9, 1946, she is a Sagittarian.

Where and how did she meet Rajiv Gandhi?

At Cambridge in the 1960s, where Rajiv was a student. She was an English language student at the university. They got married in 1968 after three years of courtship that began in a Greek restaurant in Cambridge University town.

Children?

One son, Rahul, and one daughter, Priyanka.

What did she do after husband Rajiv's assassination in 1991?

She led the life of a recluse for six years, but for her appearances at a few events. In those years, she produced two books: Rajiv and Rajiv's World.

When did she become Congress president?

She officially took charge of the Congress party in 1998

But didn't she all along detest politics?

Sonia had shown an aversion to politics for long. She detested politics and opposed her husband Rajiv entering it, according to biographer Nicholas Nugent in his book Rajiv Gandhi — Son of a Dynasty. Sonia even threatened to divorce her husband, Nugent writes. Rajiv said later that Sonia felt she would be losing him to politics.

Her biggest asset?

 

The family name. Despite rumblings, the Congress largely remains united because of her.

 

Biggest drawback


Language. Her speeches, especially in Hindi, do not have the mesmerising effect of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

 

Electoral record

Under her leadership, the Congress won power in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan in the 1998 assembly election, in Karnataka and Maharashtra in 1999, in Jammu and Kashmir in 2002, and in Himachal Pradesh in 2003. But in the 1999 general election, the Congress turned in its worst performance since Independence. It also performed poorly during the assembly election in 2003, losing Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Inner resistance

In private, party leaders are uneasy over her foreign origins. In May 1999, Sharad Pawar, Purno A Sangma and Tariq Anwar challenged her suitability as prime ministerial candidate.

Other interests?

She is also chairperson of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, Nehru Trust for Cambridge University, Kamala Nehru Memorial Society and Hospital, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library, Indian Council for Child Welfare Trust and Swaraj Bhawan Trust. Plus, she is patron of Round Square (International Group of Schools), the United Kingdom

Quotable quotes

'When I first came to Delhi in 1968, my father had given me a return ticket. But Delhi was the place of my second birth and the ticket, like my past, was lost in the mists of time.'

Special interests

Indian handlooms and handicrafts; contemporary Indian classical and tribal art; a special interest in oil paintings and their conservation.

Image: Rahil Shaikh

Also Read: Get to know Rahul Gandhi



Article Tools
Email this article
Top emailed links
Print this article
Write us a letter
Discuss this article


Related Stories


How the BJP stays on top

Venkaiah Naidu: 'Let foreign issue be decided by people'

The Night The Diaspora Met Sonia








India Votes 2004 | The Rediff Specials




Share your comments


 What do you think about the story?




Read what others have to say:


Number of User Comments: 24




Sub: f.origin

dear sir, there is no question for f.origin to sonia gandhi. if we raise this issue, the other countries will also take up the issue ...


Posted by debonair international





Sub: A lady of IRON will power

We all Indian should have great respect for her committment towards "Indian value system" and "Nehru-Gandhi" family and responsibilities towards her own family. The way ...


Posted by Dr.D.Kumar





Sub: sonia's foreign origin.

Sonia Gandhi,is no more a foreign lady,because,first of all her husband Late Rajivji,acceipted her as his legal & as per indian culrture as his only ...


Posted by basant patra





Sub: Sonia Up Close & Personal

R/Madam, It is very gradeful for us with you that you will recome the prime minister of india. we are allways with congress i. Iam ...


Posted by Rajkumar B. Mule





Sub: it is not a matter of being born foreign

i do not believe that a person can know India just by marrying an Indian. For knowing the hardships of an average Indian you have ...


Posted by kaushal




Disclaimer







Copyright © 2004 rediff.com India Limited. All Rights Reserved.