In a significant departure from her traditionally private public persona, senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi has made her debut on social media platform X. Her first post shares a glimpse into her upcoming memoir, 'Belonging – a journey of love', which chronicles her relationship with former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The post marks a new chapter in the political leader's public life, as she opens up about personal memories that have shaped her life.
At the heart of Gandhi's memoir is the story of how her journey with Rajiv began in the most unexpected of places: a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge, England. In her social media post, she recalls the modest setting where two young students from different worlds would meet and form a connection that would endure. "In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge my journey of love began," Gandhi shares in the video accompanying her post. "Rajiv and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories."
In a small Greek restaurant in Cambridge my journey of love began. Rajiv and I created a world filled with love, laughter and memories. On 10th November, I share that world with you. https://t.co/zvN5Rqqstf
The couple first met in 1965, a time when both were students navigating the challenges of life abroad. Gandhi recalls the atmosphere of the restaurant, which served as a gathering place for many European and Indian students. "And then, we discovered this place," she explains. "It was a Greek restaurant where many European students, but also Indian students, used to go for their meals. And that is then where I met Rajiv in that very restaurant."
The connection went beyond mere attraction, with Gandhi noting Rajiv's gentle demeanor as particularly striking.
Their initial encounter left a lasting impression on both. "When I first met him, I felt almost immediately that, you know, he was someone I would really love to be with," Gandhi reflects. The feeling was mutual, as she later discovered. "And, of course, I learned that it was the same for him," she adds. The connection went beyond mere attraction, with Gandhi noting Rajiv's gentle demeanor as particularly striking. "He was a very gentle-looking person. Of course, he was very good-looking, but that gentleness came through. So that was something which really touched me and struck me. So that, of course, I'll never forget when I first met him."
The story of Sonia Ji and Rajiv Ji feels like a midsummer night’s dream - beautiful, idyllic, almost too perfect until a dark cloud of tragedy shattered it. Yet, even in the face of unimaginable loss, the promise of responsibility, duty, loyalty and sacrifice endured. Sonia Ji has now joined X, sharing beautiful anecdotes from her early meetings with her husband, Rajiv Gandhi Ji. And in her book, Belonging: The Journey of Love, she has poured even more of her heart into telling a story of love, loss and unwavering resolve - a story too wholehearted to be forgotten.
Sonia Gandhi's decision to share these personal memories through her first social media post represents a significant moment in her public life. The memoir, set to be released on November 10, will offer readers a rare glimpse into the private world of one of India's most prominent political families. As Gandhi prepares to share their story with the world, her debut on X signals a new openness in her approach to public communication.