New Delhi: In her newly released memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, former Congress President Sonia Gandhi has opened up about some of the most profound and painful moments of her private life, offering a rare glimpse into the intimate dynamics of the Nehru-Gandhi family. Among the myriad untold stories, the most heart-wrenching revelation is the tragic loss of her first child, an event that left both her and Rajiv Gandhi completely devastated.
The 544-page autobiography, which touches upon various political and personal milestones, details the emotional trauma of losing a premature baby boy. According to the memoir, Sonia Gandhi went into normal labour and delivered a baby boy nearly two months ahead of her due date. The Congress leader vividly recalled hearing her baby’s first cry as he was being gently placed into an incubator by the medical staff.
Shortly after, Rajiv Gandhi took her to see their newborn. Describing the profound moment, she noted that despite being incredibly small, the premature baby was fully developed, possessing thick dark hair and long, slender fingers. “We stood looking at him for a long time. Rajiv had his hand on my shoulder. We fell in love with him at first sight,” she wrote, capturing the fleeting joy of early parenthood.
However, medical professionals had already expressed grave concerns regarding the premature infant’s chances of survival. Their worst fears were confirmed the following morning. At around 6:30 AM, a heartbroken Rajiv Gandhi delivered the devastating news to Sonia that their child had passed away.
Recounting the sheer agony of that morning, Sonia Gandhi wrote, “I kept asking repeatedly, ‘No, this is not possible! Why, why?’ We were both in severe shock and completely broken. We held onto each other tightly. I cried profusely, and Rajiv wept bitterly too.”
The immense tragedy also highlighted the deeply affectionate side of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. At the time of the incident, she was travelling out of town. However, upon receiving the tragic news of her newborn grandson’s demise, Indira Gandhi immediately cancelled her official engagements and rushed back to the hospital in Delhi. Sonia shared that her mother-in-law arrived with red, swollen eyes, enveloped her in a comforting hug, and sat silently with the grieving parents for a long time, sharing their profound sorrow.
Published by HarperCollins India, the highly anticipated memoir promises to unveil many more such intimate family dynamics, shedding light on the personal sacrifices and tragedies that shaped one of India’s most prominent political figures.