Sonia Gandhi's Heartfelt Memories: A Glimpse into Her Early Days in India

Sonia Gandhi's Journey Begins

New Delhi: Renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan once shared a profound insight with Sonia Gandhi during her stay at the Bachchan residence prior to her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi: it’s not about who you are, but rather how others perceive you.

In her memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', Sonia recounts her initial days in India, where she stayed with the Bachchan family after arriving to be with Rajiv, despite a long separation.

Upon her arrival in New Delhi at 5:15 AM on January 13, 1968, she was greeted by Rajiv, his brother Sanjay, and their friend Amitabh Bachchan, who would later rise to fame as a Bollywood icon.

Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, Sonia's worries faded upon seeing Rajiv, filling her with joy. The airport was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the modern facilities she was accustomed to in Rome. They drove through the dark to 13, Willingdon Crescent, the home of Amitabh's parents, where she would stay with Harivansh Rai Bachchan and his wife, Teji.

Sonia describes the Bachchans as close friends of Indira Gandhi from Allahabad. She recalls Mrs. Bachchan, petite and warmly dressed, welcoming her with a smile and a comforting embrace, instantly making her feel at home.

Soon after, she was shown to her room, adjacent to Mrs. Bachchan's. After a year apart, she and Rajiv were finally together again. Rajiv had made efforts to make her room inviting, including a reproduction of a Picasso painting and a vase of fragrant roses.

However, an old blue-green rug from Rajiv's mother's trunk caused her asthma to flare up, prompting Rajiv and Mrs. Bachchan to assist her with medication until she felt better. Once she recovered, she met Uncle Bachchan, who was on his morning walk.

Sonia describes him as a character from a storybook, slightly hunched, wearing a shawl and glasses, who greeted her with kindness before continuing his walk. After breakfast, Rajiv took her to his home, which felt cold and dimly lit, with sparse furnishings.

She nervously greeted Rajiv's mother, who expressed concern for her health and advised her to dress warmly. Sonia shares that she often woke to the sound of Uncle Bachchan's footsteps and the conch shell he blew to awaken the gods.

Despite her years of English study, she struggled with fluency and understanding Indian accents. Uncle Bachchan would occasionally teach her Hindi, but it was not enough for her to communicate effectively.

In their brief conversations, he imparted wisdom, reminding her that in India, perception often outweighs reality. This advice left her pondering her identity and the expectations placed upon her.

Many times, after being dropped off by Rajiv, she found herself in tears, longing for her family and home. Rajiv offered comfort, but Uncle Bachchan's words resonated with her in the years that followed, highlighting the complexities of public perception.

Sonia fondly refers to Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji as her temporary guardians during her uncertain arrival in India.