When a young woman from a foreign background steps into the most powerful political household in the nation, what does the journey from the bustling streets of Italy to the corridors of Lutyens Delhi truly look like? The life story of Sonia Gandhi, who witnessed some of the most profound political upheavals in the country, reads like a cinematic drama. Slated for release on November 10, the book promises to turn the pages of history in a way that has rarely been explored before. Just ahead of its official launch, publisher HarperCollins India shared several exclusive excerpts across social media platforms.
First taste of Tunduri chicken and Arhar dal
According to the shared excerpts, the book details Sonia Gandhi's initial encounters with traditional Indian culinary experiences. She recalled that the very first Indian dish she tasted alongside Rajiv Gandhi was tandoori chicken, which had a reddish hue, appeared slightly charred, and was spicy enough to sting her tongue. Over time, however, she grew immensely fond of the traditional North Indian fare favored by the Nehru-Gandhi household. Daily meals featuring rice, phulkas, vegetables, mutton or chicken, accompanied by standard bowls of arhar dal, drew her even closer to the cultural fabric of India. The post also features an unseen archival family photograph showing Sonia Gandhi dining at a table with Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, and Sanjay Gandhi.
Shifting publishers after initial disputes
The path to publishing this memoir was not entirely straightforward. Initially, Penguin Random House India was slated to handle the publication, but differences arose between the author's representatives and the publisher regarding necessary revisions to the manuscript. Clearing the air over the uncertainty, HarperCollins India subsequently announced that it would publish the work. Alongside releasing the first look of her autobiography, Sonia Gandhi also marked her debut on Instagram.
From childhood in Italy to stepping down from the PM post
The autobiography commences with Sonia Gandhi's childhood in Italy during the post-Second World War era. It then chronicles her 1965 meeting with Rajiv Gandhi in Cambridge, their subsequent marriage, her efforts to learn Hindi, drape sarees, and adapt entirely to Indian culture. The memoir also documents deep personal tragedies, including the death of Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash, the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, and the killing of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991. Furthermore, it incorporates the inside story of the 2004 general election victory, where Congress won and Sonia Gandhi chose to relinquish the prime ministerial post while leading the UPA coalition for a decade.
