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Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Sonia Rajiv Gandhi Biography
Name Sonia Gandhi
Original name Sonia Maino
Profession Politician
Date of Birth Dec. 9, 1946.
Star Sagittarius
Birth Place Ovassanjo, 80 km away from Turin, Italy
Mother tongue Italian
Family
Father:Stefano Eugene Mainomother: Paola Mainohusband: Rajeev GandhiSon: Rahul GandhiDaughter: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Famous in-laws
Mother-in-Law: Indra GandhiFather-in-law: Feroze GandhiBrother-in-law: Sanjay GandhiSister-in-law: Maneka GandhiGrandfather-in-law: Jawaharlal NehruNephew: Varun GandhiSon-in-law: Robert Vadra
Education
* Early education in a Roman Catholic school run by the Salesian Order.* She attended an interpreter's school where she studied English, French and Russian. * A two-year certificate course in English language at Cambridge, UK.* She has a diploma in conservation of oil paintings from the National Museum in New Delhi.
Fluent
English, French, Spanish, Italian and Russian
Citizen
Renounced Italian citizenship on 27 April 1983 and became a citizen of India on 30 April 1983.
Marriage with Rajiv Gandhi
* Met Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge during 1960s.* They were married in 28th Feb, 1968.* The wedding was a simple nondenominational ceremony in the garden of 1, Safdarjang Road. * It was held on Vasant Panchami day in February, the same day when Indira Gandhi married Feroze decades earlier.* She wore a pink sari made from cotton which Nehru had spun while in prison. It was the same sari which Indira Gandhi had worn for her wedding.
Politics
* She officially took charge of the Congress party in 1998 and was elected to parliament in 1999.* Was first elected as a Member of Parliament to the 13th Lok Sabha from the Amethi Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh in 1999, getting 67% of the polled votes. * She has been elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from the Rae Bareily Constituency of Uttar Pradesh. * On 18 May 2004, after her Congress party won the Indian election, she was slated to become Prime Minister, but declined after fierce opposition and the promise of future turmoil from the defeated right wing.
Her first visit to Delhi
"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."
Priyanka's entry to politics
"She is a young mother with two small children and a husband to look after and naturally she feels that she has to look after her family. If she entered politics, she wouldn’t be able to given them the attention they need."
About her foreign origin
"I never felt they look at me as a foreigner. Because I'm not. I am Indian"
Sad moment in her life
When her husband Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu during an election campaign on May 21, 1991.
Powerful
She was No 3 in Forbes magazine's list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
Day off
Likes to have a day off on sundays
Likes
to visit all the beautiful places in India
Earlier views on politics
* Long back she had even threatened to divorce Rajiv if he ever entered politics.* She would have rather seen her children beg than enter into the maelstrom of Indian political life.
Favourite food
* freshly squeezed orange juice* Dhal and Roti* Smoked salamon* avoids pastas, pizzas, noodles and almost any kind of junk food.
Interests
Indian hand-looms and handicrafts, as well as Indian contemporary, classical and tribal art.
Religion
remains a Roman Catholic, but follows Hindu and Indian traditions with her children
Admired
her husband
Books
* Authored two books: 'Rajiv' and 'Rajiv’s World'. * Edited 'Freedom’s Daughter' and 'Two Alone, Two Together' (two volumes of letters exchanged between Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi from 1922 to 1964).
Positions held
* March 1998 onwards - President, Indian National Congress Chairperson, Congress (I) Parliamentary Party (CPP).* 1999-2000 : Member, General Purposes Committee.
Chairperson
(i) Rajiv Gandhi Foundation;(ii) Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust;(iii) Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund;(iv) Nehru Trust for Cambridge University;(v) Kamala Nehru Memorial Society and Hospital;(vi) Nehru Memorial Museum and Library;(vii) Indian Council for Child Welfare Trust;(viii) Swaraj Bhawan Trust; Patron, Round Square (International Group of Schools), United Kingdom
Facts
* The third woman of foreign origin to hold the prestigious post, 'President of the Indian National Congress' after Annie Beasant and Nelli Sengupta.* Sonia Gandhi also became the fifth from the Nehru family to take over the Congress reins.* Kashmir used to be their holiday destination when her husband was alive.
About her
I've seen her fight the day my grandmother died. I've seen her fight the day my father died. And she has won. My mother is my hero."- Rahul Gandhi
Address
Smt. Sonia Gandhi, MP10, JanpathNew Delhi.Tele. (O) : 23034984, 23034285Tele. (R) : 23014161, 23014481E-Mail: soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in
Biography
* Sonia: A biography, by Rasheed Kidwai, Penguin India (December 2003). Hardcover. ISBN: 0670049557. Price US$8.8, 256 pages.* Sonia Gandhi Through A Different Lens; Ravi Singavarapu
Quote
' I am convinced that the time is ripe for a massive renaissance of our political culture so that we build that society which combines compassion with competence, equity with excellence." '
Original name Sonia Maino
Profession Politician
Date of Birth Dec. 9, 1946.
Star Sagittarius
Birth Place Ovassanjo, 80 km away from Turin, Italy
Mother tongue Italian
Family
Father:Stefano Eugene Mainomother: Paola Mainohusband: Rajeev GandhiSon: Rahul GandhiDaughter: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Famous in-laws
Mother-in-Law: Indra GandhiFather-in-law: Feroze GandhiBrother-in-law: Sanjay GandhiSister-in-law: Maneka GandhiGrandfather-in-law: Jawaharlal NehruNephew: Varun GandhiSon-in-law: Robert Vadra
Education
* Early education in a Roman Catholic school run by the Salesian Order.* She attended an interpreter's school where she studied English, French and Russian. * A two-year certificate course in English language at Cambridge, UK.* She has a diploma in conservation of oil paintings from the National Museum in New Delhi.
Fluent
English, French, Spanish, Italian and Russian
Citizen
Renounced Italian citizenship on 27 April 1983 and became a citizen of India on 30 April 1983.
Marriage with Rajiv Gandhi
* Met Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge during 1960s.* They were married in 28th Feb, 1968.* The wedding was a simple nondenominational ceremony in the garden of 1, Safdarjang Road. * It was held on Vasant Panchami day in February, the same day when Indira Gandhi married Feroze decades earlier.* She wore a pink sari made from cotton which Nehru had spun while in prison. It was the same sari which Indira Gandhi had worn for her wedding.
Politics
* She officially took charge of the Congress party in 1998 and was elected to parliament in 1999.* Was first elected as a Member of Parliament to the 13th Lok Sabha from the Amethi Parliamentary Constituency of Uttar Pradesh in 1999, getting 67% of the polled votes. * She has been elected to the 14th Lok Sabha from the Rae Bareily Constituency of Uttar Pradesh. * On 18 May 2004, after her Congress party won the Indian election, she was slated to become Prime Minister, but declined after fierce opposition and the promise of future turmoil from the defeated right wing.
Her first visit to Delhi
"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."
Priyanka's entry to politics
"She is a young mother with two small children and a husband to look after and naturally she feels that she has to look after her family. If she entered politics, she wouldn’t be able to given them the attention they need."
About her foreign origin
"I never felt they look at me as a foreigner. Because I'm not. I am Indian"
Sad moment in her life
When her husband Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu during an election campaign on May 21, 1991.
Powerful
She was No 3 in Forbes magazine's list of The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
Day off
Likes to have a day off on sundays
Likes
to visit all the beautiful places in India
Earlier views on politics
* Long back she had even threatened to divorce Rajiv if he ever entered politics.* She would have rather seen her children beg than enter into the maelstrom of Indian political life.
Favourite food
* freshly squeezed orange juice* Dhal and Roti* Smoked salamon* avoids pastas, pizzas, noodles and almost any kind of junk food.
Interests
Indian hand-looms and handicrafts, as well as Indian contemporary, classical and tribal art.
Religion
remains a Roman Catholic, but follows Hindu and Indian traditions with her children
Admired
her husband
Books
* Authored two books: 'Rajiv' and 'Rajiv’s World'. * Edited 'Freedom’s Daughter' and 'Two Alone, Two Together' (two volumes of letters exchanged between Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi from 1922 to 1964).
Positions held
* March 1998 onwards - President, Indian National Congress Chairperson, Congress (I) Parliamentary Party (CPP).* 1999-2000 : Member, General Purposes Committee.
Chairperson
(i) Rajiv Gandhi Foundation;(ii) Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust;(iii) Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund;(iv) Nehru Trust for Cambridge University;(v) Kamala Nehru Memorial Society and Hospital;(vi) Nehru Memorial Museum and Library;(vii) Indian Council for Child Welfare Trust;(viii) Swaraj Bhawan Trust; Patron, Round Square (International Group of Schools), United Kingdom
Facts
* The third woman of foreign origin to hold the prestigious post, 'President of the Indian National Congress' after Annie Beasant and Nelli Sengupta.* Sonia Gandhi also became the fifth from the Nehru family to take over the Congress reins.* Kashmir used to be their holiday destination when her husband was alive.
About her
I've seen her fight the day my grandmother died. I've seen her fight the day my father died. And she has won. My mother is my hero."- Rahul Gandhi
Address
Smt. Sonia Gandhi, MP10, JanpathNew Delhi.Tele. (O) : 23034984, 23034285Tele. (R) : 23014161, 23014481E-Mail: soniagandhi@sansad.nic.in
Biography
* Sonia: A biography, by Rasheed Kidwai, Penguin India (December 2003). Hardcover. ISBN: 0670049557. Price US$8.8, 256 pages.* Sonia Gandhi Through A Different Lens; Ravi Singavarapu
Quote
' I am convinced that the time is ripe for a massive renaissance of our political culture so that we build that society which combines compassion with competence, equity with excellence." '
Rahul Gandhi Biography
Name Rahul Gandhi
Profession Politician, Consultant
Date of Birth 19th June 1970
Birth Place New Delhi, Delhi
Nationality Indian
Zodiac Sign Gemini
Family Father - Rajiv Gandhi (former Prime Minister)
Mother - Sonia Gandhi (President of the Indian National Congress)
Sister - Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Brother-in-law - Robert Vadra
Niece-Miraya
Nephew-Raihan
Girlfriend-Veronique
Famous relatives Great grandfather: Jawaharlal Nehru (former and first Prime Minister of India)
Great grandmother: Kamala Nehru
Grandmother: Indira Gandhi (former Prime Minister of India)
Grandfather: Feroze Gandhi (Politician)
Uncle: Sanjay Gandhi (Politician)
Aunt: Maneka Gandhi (active Politician, animal activist)
Cousin Brother: Varun Gandhi (active in politics)
Education * Schooling at Modern School,New Delhi
* Home schooled for most of his school years
* Enrolled for History (Hons) at St. Stephen's College, New Delhi
* Completed a four-year AB course in Economics at Harvard University but did not get his degree.
* He transferred later due to security reasons to Rollins College in Florida where he completed a B.A. in 1994.
* Received an M. Phil in Development Economics after attending Trinity College, Cambridge.
Constituency Amethi , Uttar Pradesh
Political party INC (Indian National Congress)
Jobs held * He worked in London as a consultant with the strategy consultancy firm Monitor Group
* He currently owns a computer consultancy firm in New Delhi.
Politics * In May 2004, he won the Lok Sabha elections from his father's constituency of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and won a landslide majority. He won by a margin 300,500 votes.
* His sister Priyanka was his campaign manager.
* He concentrates mainly on constituency issues and the politics of Uttar Pradesh.
* Is Member, Committee on Home Affairs
* Was made Congress general secretary and inducted into the Congress Working Committee on September 24, 2007. Will be in charge of the Youth Congress and the National Students Union of India (NSUI)
Cricket He and his sister, Priyanka went to Karachi and watched the first ODI match between India and Pakistan in March 2004 and the public in Pakistan were happy to see them.
Controversies * Newsweek alleged in late 2006 that he had not completed his degrees at Harvard and Cambridge or kept his job at the Monitor Group.
*He says that if anyone from the Gandhi-Nehru family had been active in politics then, the Babri Masjid would not have fallen.
*He says once the Gandhi family decides on something, it makes sure that is accomplished — whether it is throwing out the British, breaking up Pakistan or taking India into the 21st century.
* According to him Bachchans are liars
Special Interests * Promotion of primary education
* Issues related to the empowerment of the dalits and other oppressed sections of society
* Preservation of marine environment
* International Affairs
Pastimes Reading, internet, listening to music, playing chess and flying
Sports and Clubs * Scuba diving, swimming, cycling, playing squash, target shooting; Member, Indian Habitat Centre
* Excelled in rifle shooting
Social And Cultural Activities Associated with :
* Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
* Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
* Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust
* Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust
* Rajiv Gandhi Computer Shiksha Kendra
Veronique She is an architect and met her when he was studying in England.
Facts * He was 14 years old when his grandmother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was assassinated by her security men.
* Incidentally, he is the same age as his late uncle Sanjay Gandhi was when he won the elections from Amethi years ago.
* Like his father he trained at a shooting range in the Aravalli ranges near Delhi.
*He was not admitted to St Stephen's on merit, but from the sports quota.
* Media enquiries report that he attended under the alias "Rahul Vinci".
Goal "There is a work that my father had started, a dream he had dreamt. I come to you today saying…allow me to turn that dream into reality"
About him Dr Anil Wilson, the principal of St Stephen's College: "He was a diligent student. He had no airs about the famous family he belonged to. I think he left college because of security concerns. We really did not get an opportunity to assess his academic brilliance."
Astrologers: Communicator. Social, outgoing. Sees and blends opposites/both sides of an issue. Vivacious, quick, flexible, versatile, lively and changeable. Mentally ambitious.
Address Present:
12, Tughlak Lane,
New Delhi- 110 011.
Tels. (011) 23014481, 23014161
Permanent:
10, Janpath,
New Delhi.
Tel (011) 23012686
Fax (011) 23018550
Profession Politician, Consultant
Date of Birth 19th June 1970
Birth Place New Delhi, Delhi
Nationality Indian
Zodiac Sign Gemini
Family Father - Rajiv Gandhi (former Prime Minister)
Mother - Sonia Gandhi (President of the Indian National Congress)
Sister - Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Brother-in-law - Robert Vadra
Niece-Miraya
Nephew-Raihan
Girlfriend-Veronique
Famous relatives Great grandfather: Jawaharlal Nehru (former and first Prime Minister of India)
Great grandmother: Kamala Nehru
Grandmother: Indira Gandhi (former Prime Minister of India)
Grandfather: Feroze Gandhi (Politician)
Uncle: Sanjay Gandhi (Politician)
Aunt: Maneka Gandhi (active Politician, animal activist)
Cousin Brother: Varun Gandhi (active in politics)
Education * Schooling at Modern School,New Delhi
* Home schooled for most of his school years
* Enrolled for History (Hons) at St. Stephen's College, New Delhi
* Completed a four-year AB course in Economics at Harvard University but did not get his degree.
* He transferred later due to security reasons to Rollins College in Florida where he completed a B.A. in 1994.
* Received an M. Phil in Development Economics after attending Trinity College, Cambridge.
Constituency Amethi , Uttar Pradesh
Political party INC (Indian National Congress)
Jobs held * He worked in London as a consultant with the strategy consultancy firm Monitor Group
* He currently owns a computer consultancy firm in New Delhi.
Politics * In May 2004, he won the Lok Sabha elections from his father's constituency of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh and won a landslide majority. He won by a margin 300,500 votes.
* His sister Priyanka was his campaign manager.
* He concentrates mainly on constituency issues and the politics of Uttar Pradesh.
* Is Member, Committee on Home Affairs
* Was made Congress general secretary and inducted into the Congress Working Committee on September 24, 2007. Will be in charge of the Youth Congress and the National Students Union of India (NSUI)
Cricket He and his sister, Priyanka went to Karachi and watched the first ODI match between India and Pakistan in March 2004 and the public in Pakistan were happy to see them.
Controversies * Newsweek alleged in late 2006 that he had not completed his degrees at Harvard and Cambridge or kept his job at the Monitor Group.
*He says that if anyone from the Gandhi-Nehru family had been active in politics then, the Babri Masjid would not have fallen.
*He says once the Gandhi family decides on something, it makes sure that is accomplished — whether it is throwing out the British, breaking up Pakistan or taking India into the 21st century.
* According to him Bachchans are liars
Special Interests * Promotion of primary education
* Issues related to the empowerment of the dalits and other oppressed sections of society
* Preservation of marine environment
* International Affairs
Pastimes Reading, internet, listening to music, playing chess and flying
Sports and Clubs * Scuba diving, swimming, cycling, playing squash, target shooting; Member, Indian Habitat Centre
* Excelled in rifle shooting
Social And Cultural Activities Associated with :
* Rajiv Gandhi Foundation
* Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund
* Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Trust
* Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust
* Rajiv Gandhi Computer Shiksha Kendra
Veronique She is an architect and met her when he was studying in England.
Facts * He was 14 years old when his grandmother, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, was assassinated by her security men.
* Incidentally, he is the same age as his late uncle Sanjay Gandhi was when he won the elections from Amethi years ago.
* Like his father he trained at a shooting range in the Aravalli ranges near Delhi.
*He was not admitted to St Stephen's on merit, but from the sports quota.
* Media enquiries report that he attended under the alias "Rahul Vinci".
Goal "There is a work that my father had started, a dream he had dreamt. I come to you today saying…allow me to turn that dream into reality"
About him Dr Anil Wilson, the principal of St Stephen's College: "He was a diligent student. He had no airs about the famous family he belonged to. I think he left college because of security concerns. We really did not get an opportunity to assess his academic brilliance."
Astrologers: Communicator. Social, outgoing. Sees and blends opposites/both sides of an issue. Vivacious, quick, flexible, versatile, lively and changeable. Mentally ambitious.
Address Present:
12, Tughlak Lane,
New Delhi- 110 011.
Tels. (011) 23014481, 23014161
Permanent:
10, Janpath,
New Delhi.
Tel (011) 23012686
Fax (011) 23018550
