Remembering Rajiv Gandhi
Here's a look at some of the key moments in the iconic leader's life.
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Remembering RajivHis charisma left millions awe struck as he brought a certain dynamism to the premiership with his powerful personality and great leadership skills.
The elder son of Indira and Feroze Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi was the 7th Prime Minister of India from 1984 to 1989.
His assassination marked an end to what could have been one of India's most successful political sojourn.
Here's a look at the journey he traversed. -
Remembering Rajiv GandhiSon of Indira Gandhi and Feroz Gandhi, who were at the forefront during India's freedom struggle, Rajiv was born in 1944 in Mumbai, during a time when both his parents were in and out of British prisons.
Rajiv lived with his mother and grandfather, India's then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru in New Delhi. -
Remembering Rajiv GandhiRajiv did his schooling initially at the Welham Boys' School and later The Doon School, Dehradun.
He was sent to London in 1961 to study his A-levels.
In this picture, Rajiv Gandhi with mother Indira Gandhi and brother Sanjay Gandhi.(AFP image) -
Remembering Rajiv GandhiIn January 1965, Rajiv Gandhi met Italian born Antonia Maino (now Sonia Gandhi).
In 1964, when Sonia was eighteen years old, her father sent her to Cambridge, England, to study English. That's where she met her future husband, Rajiv Gandhi, who was studying engineering at Cambridge. -
Remembering Rajiv GandhiAccording to Sonia Gandhi, it was love at first sight.
Their courtship lasted three years, during which Sonia's parents expressed their reluctance over her becoming involved in such a different culture.
Sonia herself was nervous about meeting Rajiv's famous mother, Indira Gandhi, the "first lady" of India.(AFP image) -
Remembering Rajiv GandhiRajiv Gandhi was chosen as the successor to the Gandhi-Nehru crown following the death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash in 1980.
Rajiv entered politics out of a sense of family duty. Sonia Gandhi was vehemently opposed to the idea, given the explosive nature of Indian politics but finally supported her husband's decision.
He eventually fought his first election from Amethi Loksabha seat and went on to defeat Lokdal leader Sharad Yadav by more than 200,000 votes.(AFP image) -
Remembering Rajiv GandhiIn 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for her decision to send troops into the Golden Temple. After the assassination of his mother, the Indian National Congress party leaders nominated Rajiv to be the Prime Minister. (AFP image) -
Remembering Rajiv GandhiWith his futuristic approach, Rajiv Gandhi led the nation to progress and tapped the potential of the youth to a great extent too. He improved India's long strained bilateral relations with the United States and expanded economic and scientific cooperation. (AFP image) -
Remembering Rajiv GandhiAfter her husband's death, Sonia Gandhi shouldered the responsibility of a century old party, and helped it leapfrog to power, silencing her worse critics along the way. Today, she is the President of the Congress Party and under her leadership, the party won two successive General elections with Manmohan Singh as the Prime Minister.
