Rahul Gandhi visit to Amethi

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi interacting with local people during his visit to Amethi for inauguration of Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana .

Aamir Khan does a Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh

Aamir does a Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh

New Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan turned a Rahul Gandhi in Madhya Pradesh when he surprised a weaver by spending hours at his humble house along with Kareena Kapoor, sharing simple home-cooked meals with the family and leaving only two hours past midnight.

Aamir, 44, who has come up with a unique way to promote his forthcoming film "3 Idiots", called on the surprised weaver Hukum Koli and his wife at their brick-and-mud house in Pranpur village in Chanderi district.

That was on Monday. The actor's office said he decided to spend quality time with the family along with his co-star Kareena. Both are among the highest paid actors in Bollywood.

And Aamir and Kareena did not waste the weaver family's time.

Both of them not only wove a sari, with generous tips from the weaver and his wife Kamlesh, but also savoured a meal of pooris and 'lauki ki subzi'.

The sari made by Kareena and Aamir will go for auction through an NGO, and the money will go for the development of the village. The sari carries the names of both the stars.

"I want to create awareness among the youth to make handloom a more integral part of their wardrobe. It is like wearing Italian shoes because they are handmade. The same goes for handloom," Aamir told a team of people travelling with him.

Hukum Koli said that both the actors also bought saris for their families. And Aamir promptly gifted one to Kareena too.

Kareena told media persons that it was an NGO that had alerted Aamir about the plight of the weavers and the dying art of Chanderi sari making.

"The saris are sold for thousands in cities but the weavers get only a small fraction of that," she said.

Chanderi, a town of historical importance surrounded by hills, lakes and forests, is known for its handloom. These off white saris were traditionally made of cotton, but over the years they started using silk threads.

Aamir's sudden visit to a rural heartland triggered comparisons with Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, who earlier taken British Foreign Secretary David Miliband to a village in his Amethi constituency.

The 39-year-old politician had spent the entire night at Dalit Shiv Kumari's house, while Miliband went to Dalit woman Karma's place and slept on her cot. Both had dinner with the hosts.

Things you didn't know about Sonia Gandhi

On December 9, Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s 63rd birthday, we bring you 9 not-so-well known nuggets from her life.

1. Chef Sonia
She prepares excellent red chilly oil, a base for salad dressing. Early in her marriage, she followed many cookery books and occasionally made pasta for mother-in-law Indira Gandhi.

2. Cleanliness is Godliness
Sonia is known to be very particular about keeping her home squeaky clean. She often does the dusting of the rooms herself, especially before important meetings.

3. Indira’s cute note

A month after Sonia’s marriage, her mom was returning home to Italy. To ease the pain, mother-in-law Indira Gandhi sent a little note to her that said, “Hi Sonia, this is just to tell you that we all love you.” That won Sonia’s heart. She would always call Indira ‘Mummy’.

4. The newly married Sonia
Sonia was often spotted on Delhi roads sitting behind husband Rajiv on his Lambretta scooter in the early days of their marriage. They frequented India Gate for ice-cream.

5. Mommy in momentous times
On Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s first visit to Delhi after the formation of Bangladesh, the who’s who of the Indian establishment including President VV Giri, PM Indira Gandhi and yes — a pregnant Sonia — gathered at the airport. The next day she gave birth to daughter Priyanka.

6. Sonia’s sarees
Sonia is fond of handloom saris, particularly traditional weaves. On her wedding day she wore a pink cotton saree woven by Nehru. Years later daughter Priyanka wore that same sari for her wedding.

7. Artsy Sonia
She did an art restoration course from the National Gallery of Modern Art.

8. The bookworm
Sonia has an eclectic taste in books. An entire wall of a room where she receives visitors in her Janpath home is lined with books.

9. No junk food
Someone who does yoga daily, Sonia avoid pastas, pizzas and noodles, but has a weakness for coffee. In winters, she must have a few glasses of fresh orange juice. During her election campaigns, Sonia often chose dal and roti.

Sonia’s astro-prediction
By Advanced Numerologist, Master Lok Deepak Bakshi

As she enters her 64th year (6+4=1), Sonia should participate more in global affairs. On the personal front, she would like Rahul to settle down this year. She can still scale many new heights, only if she wants to.

News HT

I want to change the way politics works in UP Rahul Gandhi

Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi said on Tuesday that he wants to change the way politics works in Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking to the media a day after UP's Mayawati government had not given permission for his press conference, Rahul Gandhi said that the politics in the state has stuck in the past. He said that he wanted to change this situation and make it more forward looking.

Rahul said that his goal was not 2012 UP elections but much beyond.

Rahul Gandhi also said that the youth in the state have given good response to his call to join the movement to promote democracy and improve the way politics is practiced in the country.

Rahul Gandhi refused to comment on the Liberhan panel report. However, he said that he respected veteran BJP leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee as a senior politician.

Gandhi also said that he did not know whether the Liberhan Commission has done the right thing or not by naming Vajpayee in its report on the Babri demolition.

Rahul Gandhi visit at Parliament house

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi interacting with school children from Punjab during their visit at Parliament house in New Delhi.

Sonia Gandhi at the flagging off the Red Ribbon Express

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi lighting the lamp as Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad look on, at the flagging off the Red Ribbon Express in New Delhi.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and others flagging off the Red Ribbon Express in New Delhi .

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Health Minister Gulam Navi Azad visiting the Red Ribbon Express which has latter flagged of by Sonia Gandhi to mark the Internationl Aids Day in New Delhi.

UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Opposition leader L K Advani and CPI leader D Raja at Parliament house to pay tribute to Dr. B R Ambedkar on his 54th Mahaparinirvan Diwas at Parliament house in New Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Udaipur

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Udaipur.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Udaipur.

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on arrival at Kota Airport.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Udaipur.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in SwaiMadhopur.

Rahul Gandhi & CM Ashok Gehlot in Swaimadhopur.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Swaimadhopur.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Swaimadhopur.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Kota.

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi on arrival at Kota

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Swaimadhopur.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Udaipur.

Rahul Gandhi meeting tribal youths in Swai Madhopur.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi after distributing Motor vehicles

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi after distributing Motor vehicles to orthopaedically challenged people on the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi in New Delhi.

PM Manmohan Singh Rahul Sonia Gandhi former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 92 birth anniversary

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Opposition leader L K Advani and others paying homage to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her 92 birth anniversary at Parliament House in New Delhi.

Congress party President Sonia Gandhi offers tributes at the memorial of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, on her birth anniversary in New Delhi.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi.

Sonia Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit paying floral tributes

Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit paying floral tributes at the Shantivan Samadhi of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his 120th birth anniversary, in New Delhi .

Rahul Gandhi Sonia Gandhi PM Manmohan Singh pay their respects at Shakti Stahl the memorial for former PM Indira Gandhi

Member of Parliament and Congress Party General Secretary Rahul Gandhi pays his respects at Shakti Stahl, the memorial for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on the 25th anniversary of her death in New Delhi.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Member of Parliament and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi and Congress Party President and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi pay their respects at Shakti Stahl, the memorial for former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

President of the All India Congress Party and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi with her son and All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary Rahul Gandhi pay their respects at Shakti Stahl, New Delhi.

Rahul Gandhi Sonia Gandhi PM Manmohan Singh pay their respects at Shakti Stahl the memorial for former PM Indira Gandhi

25 years later A tribute to Indira Gandhi

It has been 25 years since prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on Oct 31, 1984. Events of those days are still fresh in memory. Worshipped by her supporters and cursed by her enemies, who later assassinated her, Indira Gandhi paved the way for democracy in India during the twentieth century.

She was cremated on 3 November near Raj Ghat. (AFP Photo

On 31 October 1984, two of Gandhi's bodyguards, Satwant Singh and Beant Singh, assassinated Indira Gandhi with their service weapons in the garden of the Prime Minister's Residence at No. 1, Safdarjung Road in New Delhi. (AFP Photo)

After her father's death in 1964, Indira was appointed as a member of the Rajya Sabha by the President of India and became a member of the Cabinet as Minister of Information and Broadcasting. In January 1966, when Lal Bahadur Shastri died, Gandhi was elected leader of the Congress Party in Parliament and became the third prime minister of independent India. (AFP Photo)

Gandhi assumed office at a very critical time in the history of India. She inherited a nation still demoralised after its defeat in the 1962 war with China, a party with an ongoing struggle for power and?a country caught in the midst of drought and a deepening economic crisis. With courage, Indira Gandhi took on the challenge of helping the nation tide over the crisis. (AFP Photo)

Through the glorious chapters of history, we bring you pictures that bear testimony to?the global icon and woman of substance, Indira Gandhi. (AFP Photo)

Born in the politically influential Nehru family, Indira grew up in an extremely charged political atmosphere. Her grandfather, Motilal Nehru, was a prominent Indian nationalist leader. Her father, Jawaharlal Nehru, was a pivotal figure in the Indian independence movement and the first Prime Minister of Independent India. (AFP Photo)

Young Indira studied at the Oxford and returned to India 1941.?She soon became involved in the Indian Independence movement. In the 1950s, she served her father as a personal assistant during his tenure as the first Prime Minister of India. Throughout this period, Indira focused on social welfare. (AFP Photo)

In the fourth general elections of 1967 the Congress retained majority control? and re-elected Gandhi as its leader. She was the Prime Minister during the decisive victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan. (AFP Photo)

New Delhi: It was Oct 31, 1984, a day like any other with R.K. Dhawan, Indira Gandhi's special assistant, arriving at 1, Safdarjung Road at 8 a.m. to find the prime minister getting her famous tresses - with the distinctive streak of white rising from the centre - trimmed for a television interview.

''She gave me a set of instructions of how she had to receive the president (Zail Singh) who was returning from a trip abroad and a dinner she was to host for a foreign dignitary that evening. She wanted to ensure there was no clash in timings,'' recounts Dhawan, now 72, often referred to as her factotum, confidant and shadow all rolled into one, and who was associated with her for 22 uninterrupted years.

Text: IANS
Images: AFP
Image: A photo dated 24 January 1976 of Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India in 1974.

After the perfunctory briefing, Dhawan, remembered in political circles as one who wielded unparallelled power like no secretary to the Congress chief has, retired to his room.

All public appointments at the adjoining thick-walled white bungalow in Akbar Road, used for her official engagements, had been cancelled as Gandhi had arrived late from Orissa the previous evening. Only a television interview with two- time Academy award-winning film actor and journalist, Peter Ustinov, was scheduled.

Image: In this picture taken on March 21,1977, then Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is flanked by her sons Sanjay and Rajiv as they walk together in New Delhi.

On reaching AIIMS, Indira Gandhi was wheeled into emergency. Within no time, doctors quickly moved her to the operation theatre, where it is believed they pumped in several units of blood. ''The doctors told me in the emergency itself there was little hope. With so many bullets inside her what could be left behind?'' asks Dhawan, 25 years after the assassination that shook the world and India.

Indira Gandhi, prime minister of India for 15 years over two terms, died on her way to AIIMS. But she was not declared dead until many hours later. Official accounts spoke of 29 entry and exit wounds; 31 bullets were extracted from her body.

Later, the Justice Thakkar Commission of Inquiry pointed the needle of suspicion to Dhawan for allegedly changing the guard's duties. That was unfounded and Dhawan was exonerated. Sitting in his plush Golf Links residence in New Delhi, Dhawan is out of power now but remains a loyal Congressman with memories of that Oct 31 morning and its aftermath still coming back to haunt.
Image: Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi meets 30 June 1984 with a Sikh delegation at her home in New Delhi.

Hearing the gunfire, Sonia Gandhi was the first to rush out from her room. ''She was shell-shocked to see such a spine-chilling sight,'' says Dhawan. Though an ambulance was stationed in Akbar Road, the driver had gone out for tea. But not a minute was wasted and a bullet-ridden Gandhi was put into the official Ambassador car and rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Instructions were specifically given at the office to be relayed to AIIMS that the prime minister was being brought in. But when they reached the hospital, Dhawan recalls, the authorities were unaware of what had happened. ''Soniaji was at the backseat, Indira Gandhi on her lap while M.L. Fotedar (a trusted Congress loyalist), me and the driver were in the front. I could see she was bleeding profusely.''

Image: In this picture taken on February 25, 1961, then Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru poses with his daughter Indira Gandhi in New Delhi.

Before Dhawan's very eyes, Beant Singh drew out a .38 revolver in a flash and fired three shots into Indira Gandhi's abdomen. As she fell to the ground, Satwant Singh, who was from the Delhi Armed Police came running and emptied his carbine into her. ''It all happened so fast. Even today, I still shudder when I think of that moment when she was shot. Words fail me even now,'' says Dhawan.

Gandhi was not wearing her bulletproof vest that morning, something she was advised to wear after she ordered the army to storm into the Golden Temple in June that year. ''I remember Beant Singh say as he put his revolver down - We have done what we needed to, now you can do what you have to,'' recalls Dhawan, who immediately shouted for help.

Image: Photo taken 18 November 1972 in New Delhi of Roman Catholic nun Mother Teresa with India's Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Ustinov waited under a tree in the sprawling lawns for an interview that was never to be.
An hour later, everything changed. Dhawan remembers each detail of that terrible morning. ''Just a few days earlier it was Diwali and the gardens of the two houses that are adjoined were being cleaned. She had to wait for a while for the gardeners to clear out to go for the interview and I noticed she was getting restless,'' says Dhawan.

''When we finally got the go-ahead from security after about 10 minutes, I walked alongside her. As we reached the wicker gate that connects both gardens we saw Beant Singh, her Sikh bodyguard and dressed in civilian clothes, approach her.''

Image: This 1975 file photograph shows Iraqi President Saddam Hussein meeting with Indira Gandhi of India in Baghdad.

PM Manmohan Singh Sonia Gandhi Mamata Banerjee And Omar Abdullah

Indian Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, waves to the crowd as Jammu Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, center and Indian Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, left, look on during a rally Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, unseen, addressed in Wanpoh, about 55 kilometers (35 miles) south of Srinagar, India.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Railway minister Mamata Banerjee during a public meeting before inaugurating the train service linking Qazigund to Anantnag.

Congress workers offer sweets to Sonia Gandhi poster while celebrating party win

1* Congress workers offer sweets to Sonia Gandhi's poster while celebrating party's win in Patna

2* A Congress worker smears colours on a poster of Rahul Gandhi while celebrating party's win in the assembly elections of three states, in Kolkata on Thursday.

3* Congress party workers dance and burn sparklers as they celebrate party's victory in the Maharashtra assembly election in Mumbai on Thursday.