Triumph Of Sonia Gandhi
Hilwiah Roche - 2/19/2008
India, also known as the ‘ Hindustan’, has stood the test of centuries, proving to be a great land which has had the greatest of the rulers. Chronological evidence point out that around 323 B.C., there were powerful Kings and Emperors ‘who had ruled over an India more extensive than British-India, with its boundaries extended beyond the frontiers up to the borders of Persia and had brought together the valleys of the three great rivers Indus , Ganges and Yumna under one political authority.
Thus, from time immemorial there have existed great figures of wisdom, fortitude and chivalry. Their deeds are said to be the ‘salt of India’s History,’ which have laid the foundation for Politics of today.
As centuries rolled by, different generation of Indian rulers and leaders, learnt the best examples from the past and put them into use, to mould an even greater India, free and liberated from the foremost power of the world, the British who had reigned India since the year 1600.
They agitated ceaselessly against the British rule and domination in India . Their efforts proved worth when India became Independent at the midnight stroke of 15 August 1947 , with Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru a sagacious statesman from The National Congress Party, assuming office as the first Prime Minister of Independent India.
Jawaharlal Nehru was the son of Pandit Motilal a ‘Kashmir Brahmin’ from an aristocratic race, a former President of the National Congress Party (1885) who was often referred to as the ‘’Patriarch’ and one of the makers of Modern India.
Since then India has seen fourteen Prime Ministers, who have built up the nationhood, reviving the national spirit and advancing the country, by impressing their ideals of government upon the citizens.
But …. an epoch-making event occurred in the year 1997 with the entry of Italian born Sonia Gandhi into the arena of Indian politics, as a successor of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, which had contributed three illustrious Prime Ministers to the Motherland, * Jawaharlal Nehru (1947-64) * Indira Gandhi (1966-77, 1980-84) * Rajiv Gandhi (1984-89).
Antonio Maino (now Sonia Gandhi) was born on 9 December 1946 , at Osvassanjo a suburb about 80 kms from Turin , to Italian parents Stefano and Paola Maino, who were staunch Roman Catholics.
Sonia-ji ( ‘ji’ is added to a name of a person, as a respectful form of address) met Rajiv Gandhi the son of India’s then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi , at a Greek restaurant in the vicinity of UK’s prestigious Cambridge University in the year 1965. They were married at New Delhi the capital city of India , in February 1968.
Rajiv Gandhi was from the land of Ramayana and Mahabharata the two great epics, which are the perennial sources of the Hindu religion. Whilst Sonia Gandhi was from the neighbourhood of Turin ,the hub of Christian piety, for in the royal chapel of the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Turin, Italy, is kept the most sacred and priceless relic of the Christian church, ‘The Holy Shroud’ or the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, under the strictest of security.
Thus, the union of their lives was the coming together of totally different creeds, origin, life style, culture and traditions. Yet….Sonia-ji fitted in beautifully, into her new home and earned the name of a perfect ‘Bahu’ (daughter-in-law) of Mother India.
Although Sonia-ji had married the scion of the most powerful political family of India , she totally refrained from Politics and wished to live a private life, offering her full time to her home, husband and children Rahul and Priyanka.
Sonia Gandhi never had ambitions of being hiked on the pedestal with fame, power and leadership. All she aspired was for common human happiness by adapting to the Indian way of life.
But… destiny had summoned that one day she would carry upon her shoulders, the mantel of the leadership that was born out of obligation, to carry on the legacy of the first family of India .
Three tragic deaths created a void in the oldest political organization, The National Congress Party - * On 23 June 1980, Sanjay Gandhi the younger son of Indira Gandhi was killed, when his stunt plane crashed near Safdarjang Airport at Delhi. * On 31 Oct 1983 the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards, in the garden of her official residence. * On 21 May 1991 , Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a female suicide bomber, during an election campaign in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Soon the National Congress Party, had a growing realization that it urgently needed a dynamic leader, for would fail to keep to pace.
Some important leaders called On Sonia Gandhi, trying to convince her that she should enter politics, being the daughter-in-law of India ’s powerful family, which has behind it a tradition of politics and service to the nation.
But Sonia-ji was shattered and deeply grieved over the dastardly murder of her husband Rajiv Gandhi and was determined to remain aloof from any form of politics and public events. For six years she lived in reclusion and turned down all persuasions, to join the Congress Party.
Yet …. after deep and satisfying thought, Sonia Gandhi finally came out of her enforced isolation and was enrolled as a Primary Member of The National Congress Party in August 1997, at the Calcutta Congress Plenary Session.
After which, dawned the most supreme moment in India’s Political History, when in May 1998 Sonia Gandhi was unanimously elected as the President of the 113 year old National Congress Party, which is India’s oldest political organization which had vehemently struggled for the freedom of the nation.
This made Sonia-ji the third woman of foreign origin, to hold the esteemed post of the President of the National Congress Party, the other two women were Dr Annie Besant an Irish in the year 1917 and Nelly Sen Gupta an English, in the year 1933.
Also she was the fifth member from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty to step into the President’s shoes, the earlier members being Pandit Motilal Nehru, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi.
Her motive was very clear, that although she bore no appetite for politics and power, it was out of utmost love and obligation for her late husband, the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, the Congress Party and for the people of India that she had veered towards this political leadership.
Standing testimony to this act, are the very words of Sonia-ji who said “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”.
Thus the stalwarts and supporters of the Congress Party owed Sonia Gandhi an undying debt of gratitude, for having set the party back on its feet again.
The advent of Sonia-ji in politics reminded the citizens of the famous Congress saying, “Every party is defined by the people who are in it. Over the course of its history, the Congress has been represented by the most popular, most charismatic and most dynamic political figures and it is a tradition which continues even today”.
Her first taste of General Elections was when she contested the 13th Lok Sabha (Lower House) Elections in 1999, from two constituencies Amethi at Uttar Pradesh in northern India and Bellary at the state of Karnataka in South India .
Amethi was a strong-hold with the immense influence of the Nehru-Gandhi family. The loyalty of the voters had sent in Sanjay Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi as their representatives to the Indiann Parliament at the General Elections of the yesteryears. It is said when Sonia-ji campaigned at Amethi, the voters had scattered 54 quintals of rose petals making a floral carpet for her to walk.
With profound faith in the people of Amethi and Bellary she contested from the two constituencies and had a massive victory at both places. At Amethi she polled in 418960 votes which amounted to 67.12% and at Bellary 414650 votes which were 51.70%. Later she retained the Amethi seat and revoked the Bellary one.
Yet, the Congress Party faced a humiliating defeat and failed to form the Government at the center. Sonia-ji did not take it as a blow to the ideals of her party she bowed down to the verdict of the citizens and took up office as Leader of the Opposition. Whilst, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) formed the Government with veteran A.B.Vajpaee the leader of The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as the Prime Minister of India.
Election observers attributed the successful shattering of the Congress votes by the opponent’s to the two powerful verbal missiles they had in hand. (1) The ‘Foreign Issue’, they evoked the national consciousness of the voters, by stressing that ‘ India should be ruled by an Indian’ and Sonia Gandhi was a ‘Videshi Bahu’ (foreign daughter-in-law) and not a ‘Swadeshi Beti {daughter of one’s own motherland). They went further to point out that she had revoked her Italian Nationality to apply for Indian Citizenship, only in 1983 that is fifteen years well after her marriage into India ’s most powerful political family.
(2) They called her a novice and first timer to politics, compared to A.B. Vajpayee the Prime - Ministerial candidate of the National Democratic Party (NDA), who had been a Member of Parliament since 1957 and held a rich experience of forty two years. He was elected to the 5th, 6th and 7th Lok Sabha (Lower House) and to the 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Rajya Sabha (Upper House). Also he had taken part vehemently in the Freedom Struggle of 1942 and could be easily compared to the stature of eminent personalities like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and M.A. Jinnah (founder of Pakistan ).
Yet….Sonia Gandhi steeled her against all criticism and was equipped with invincible patriotism, to set the Congress Party back on its feet again. This role of Sonia-ji marching as the latest torch-bearer of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, tracks us to the Calcutta Congress of December 1917, when the great woman freedom fighter, and poet the ‘Nightingale’ Sarojini Naidu had a message for the men of India .
She said “When you need torch-bearers in the darkness to lead you, when you want standard-bearers to uphold your banner and when you die for want of faith, the womanhood of India , will be with you as the holders of your banner and the sustainers of your strength”. ( later in 1925 Sarojini Naidu become the President of the Indian National Congress Party).
Like a prophecy fulfilled, the day had dawned for a woman of indomitable patriotism and stoic courage to lead the overthrown Congress Party.
Thus Sonia Gandhi ‘rose from the ashes like a Phoenix ‘, to redeem and retrieve the largest Democratic Party in the world. She inspired her supporters that the Congress Party had lost the 1999 General Elections, but not the determination and chance to come back.
Like a Matriarch offering her full contribution, Sonia-ji sat down with the senior party members, trusted counsellors and political thinkers, to lay down concrete strategies and plans to meet the General elections of 2004. Her clear and precise goal was a stunning victory than never before.
The Congress Manifesto for Elections 2004, had a special message for the women of India , it emphasized on ‘social harmony and empowerment of women, also promising The Women’s Bill that is a 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislatures. Congress President Sonia Gandhi being highly impressed with the Manifesto, called it Slick, Colourful and Well-Written.
Sonia-ji began her vigorous campaigning traveling 600,000 kilometers across the length and breadth of vast India , attending 60 rallies, to lift her voice in the cause of truth and justice, to bring back the lost glory to the Congress party
Believing that Indira Gandhi was still a force in Indian political life’ she attempted to re-awake the memories of the iron-fisted ruler in the minds of the voters, by imitating “Garibi Hatao” (eradicate poverty}, which was Indira Gandhi’s winning slogan in the 1960’s-1970’s. All along she chanted “Aam Admi Bachao “(save the common-man), which was the slogan of the day, of the Congress Party.
Her dress code of neatly draped handloom cotton sarees, manner of waving to the people with her right arm raised high, very swift walk and a radiant smile which conveys a million messages and her way of ending the speeches with a reverent ‘Jai Hind !’ in the same style of her mother-in-law , ignited the passions of the people. They saw before their eyes, a junior Indira Gandhi with a fervent plea to vote for the Congress Party.
. She even insisted on interacting with the crowds. People were allowed to shake hands with her and even touch her. She heard their grievances and embraced them. At every meeting she pronounced with vehemence,” I am an Indian and my country is India ”. All over the nation, her supporters shouted with force “Now she is of the Indian race. “ She is not a Vedishi (foreigner)”. “She is your Bahu ( Daugther-in-law)”, “ She is your Beti (Daughter) “, “ She is your Behan/Didi (sister) “.
They also stressed, “Sochiye, Congress Kovote Dijiyae” ( Think! Vote for the Congress, for a vote for the Congress, is a vote for Sonia-ji herself).
Sonia Gandhi’s wisdom and perspicacity of campaigning begun to take effect, for her influence and prestige rapidly spread wide across the nation .People begun to ponder on the veracity that she had become an Indian at heart, from the moment she married Rajiv Gandhi.
This time Sonia-ji was to contest from Rae Bareilly at Uttar Pradesh in Northern India , which was like a second home to her. Way back in 1952 her father-in-law Feroze Gandhi had won from this very constituency and since 1967 it had become a stronghold for her mother-in-law Indira Gandhi. (Her son Rahul Gandhi was to contest from neighbouring Amethi, the constituency which vested Sonia-ji with an astounding victory in the previous elections)
Election 2004 was stretched into four phases, from 20 April to 10 May and it was the first time that the nation was to follow the Computer Electronic Elections. More than one million electronic voting machines were put into use, for nearly 640 million citizens were eager to exercise their franchise.
The results announced on 13 May, flabbergasted the stoutest of Sonia-ji’s critics and opponents, for the Congress and allies had won the Elections. They looked up at Sonia Gandhi as the ‘ JEANNE d’ ARC of THE 21st Century’ who had won ‘ The Battle of The Ballot’ to siege the reign from the opposition party.
Obviously, it was a ‘Magnificent Achievement of a Woman – Single handed ‘, who had drawn the heart strings of the voters with three simple words “I’m an Indian”.
A victorious Sonia Gandhi spoke to the nation saying, “I thank the people of India from my heart. We have succeeded against all odds; we have prevailed despite all predictions of disaster. Here is now a momentum generated by our revival, let us not squander it. We must utilize it as a catalyst for the change”.
The Congress Party having won 141 seats formed a 15 member Coalition Government which was to be supported externally by the four main Leftist Parties. This alliance named the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was to be led by the Congress Party and the allies were to work together, steadily and harmoniously for democratic gains in the broadest possible ways. With unanimity the allies had declared Sonia Gandhi as the Chairperson to head the UPA Government and the President of India, Dr A.P.J... Abdul Kalam called upon Sonia-ji to form the government.
Preparations were being made for the swearing-in ceremony, when the ‘Foreign Issue’ raged up again, this time with emotional force and intense antipathy. A prominent women politician from the opposition, vowed to tonsure her head, wear the garbs of a widow, sleep on the floor and eat lonely grains , if Sonia-ji a foreigner, was to become the new Prime Minister of India. However, she made it clear, that it was not a personal affront against Sonia-ji, it was a single factor that a foreigner should not be crowned as the Prime Minister of India. In South Asian countries, a tonsured head was the paramount sign of bereavement.
Many other politicians from the opposition parties, too protested threatening to even boycott the swearing- in ceremony and hold nationwide agitations. They were vociferous that ‘ India should be ruled by an Indian ‘. Meanwhile the media reported that Sonia-ji’s close relatives had flown inform Italy , to witness the swearing-in ceremony.
Sonia-ji pondered holding the interests of her nation close to her heart. With the continuance of the protests, there would be discord and disunity between the ruling party and the opposition, which would eventually hamper the government from its agenda and smooth functioning
Thus, with the ‘Will of A Superhuman’, Sonia Gandhi declined to be the Prime Minister of India, although there was no provision in the Indian Constitution, which could have barred her from the top post. Her act of renunciation sent shock waves through the nation, though later it was realized to be the supreme moment in the national history of India .
She had silenced her critics, by proving that she was ready to endure any trial in the defence and honour of her country and the Congress Party.
The members of the Congress Party were dismayed and grieved at Sonia-ji’s renunciation. Thousands of party stooges and her supporters, thronged outside her residence, some even threatened to lay down their lives.
A visibly grieved Renuka Chowdry (now Minister of state for Women and Child Development) said, “It is the party’s request that you continue, to lead us, because it is the need of the hour. Not just for women, not just for children, but as a human - being who has upheld the finest traditions of what it means to be an Indian “.
But… Sonia-ji stood determined and unwavering, saying she had listened to her inner voice and would abide by her conscience.
Addressing the citizens, she conveyed her inner most emotions, “The post of Prime Minister has never been my aim.
I’m not going anywhere. I will always be here; working for the party, The Congress is my life. All of you are my family. Let us now build the 21st Century India that was Rajiv’s vision”.
Her selfless sacrifice, made the entire world look up at her, as a rare woman with innate moral grandeur.
With her first stroke of diplomacy, she appointed Dr Manmohan Singh, a brilliant economist as the Prime Minister of India, who had earlier been the Finance Minister in Rajiv Gandhi’s Government.
Dr Singh who was called ‘the architect of the Indian Economic Reforms’, hailed from the Sikh Community and was to be the first non-Hindu Prime Minister of India. Sonia-ji assured the people that “ India would be safe in his hands”, perhaps, insinuating that the votes of the citizens would be rewarded.
Although Sonia Gandhi declined to be the Prime Minister of India, yet …she stands as a person vested with power in a unique sense. Perhaps neither heard nor found in any other Parliamentary Democracy in the world. It is the first time that India is experiencing this style of division of power, between two authoritative persons.
The duties of Sonia Gandhi as the Chairperson of the UPA would be as follows :- 1) To co-ordinate with the leaders of the allies. 2) To formulate the policies and programmes of the Coalition Government. Yet, she is not answerable to the questions and doubts put forth by the opposition and she does not head the Government.
The duties of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh would be as follows: - 1) To head the Government. 2) Carry out the policies and programmes which have been already formulated. 3) Answerable to all the questions and doubts put forth by the opposition. Yet, he does not co-ordinate or deal with the leaders of the allies.
Observers from political circles of other countries find this system of power sharing very novel and never heard of... May be with the success of the UPA Government, there may arrive a day, when other parliamentary democracies too may follow this division of power pioneered by India .
For those who find it difficult to understand this bifurcation of power, media has explained it very simply, saying that the UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is in charge of politics, whilst the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh looks after Governance and Economics.
It looked as though trials and tribulations were chasing Sonia-ji. This time she was accused of being guilt of having breached the Electoral Laws. According to the Electoral Laws of India, a Member of Parliament of either the Lok Sabha (lower house) or Rajya Sabha (upper house) cannot hold an office of profit. Whereas Sonia-ji, was the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC). Opponents argued that structurally the NAC is constituted was on par level with the Prime Ministers Office. Also pointing out that Soniaji was trying to subvert the Constitution and Democracy, they demanded her resignation as Chairperson of the NAC.
Deeply wounded by the harsh criticism, Sonia-ji said that she had not entered politics and public life for any personal gains. She also stressed that she had taken a pledge to serve the country, its democratic values and its secular fabric.
Once again with another masterstroke, she silenced her opponents by resigning both from the Parliament (Rae Barelli seat) and from the post of Chairperson of NAC. Yet…. vowed to come to parliament after contesting the By-Elections at the Rae Barelli constituency.
Watching the ordeal of the ‘Office of Profit’, The Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPM), stressed the urgent need for the enactment of a law, which would define the office of profit and also insisted on a political consensus.
Within a matter of weeks, Sonia-ji contested the By-elections at Rae Barelli. She sought justice from her voters on the controversy of the ‘Office of Profit’. She emphasized that she had resigned both her Lok Sabha seat and the NAC Chairperson post, ‘in accordance of her moral aspirations and in safe guarding the political values’.
The results announced that Sonia-ji had triumphed with the biggest ever electoral margin. Out of the 5, 90,026 votes polled, Sonai-ji had grabbed 4,74,891 votes, winning by a margin of 4.17 lakhs. There was a positive sign in the growth of Sonia-ji’s influence and popularity among the masses, for at the previous election, she had won by 2.48 lakh votes. This time, five of the candidates who stood against her, were had even lost their security deposits.
It was said that Sonia-ji had surpassed the mandates of Feroz Gandhi, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, who had earlier contested from this very constituency. Out of the 17 elections held at Rae Barelli , 14 were contested by the Nehru-Gandhi family members, but no one had created such a storm like this. It looked as though the name ‘Sonia’ had cast a magic spell on the voters.
Thus once again Sonia Gandhi entered the Parliament, more like a champion who had ‘reclaimed her moral high-ground ‘, than a leader who was victorious at the polls. Back at work, she concentrated on strengthening the UPA Coalition Government. In general she believed firmly, in code of ethics and transparency, which were the fundamentals to keep a government clean. Also she paid much importance to the Members of Parliament , interacting with the people of their respective constituencies and redressing the problems faced by them.
At this juncture, the Congress Party members recalled the words of Sonia-ji who had earlier said, “The Congress is unique. Our uniqueness arises from several basic features of the Congress’s history, its character, its ideology and the legacy of its leadership. 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, competence, equity with excellence”.
All the Ministries of the UPA Government have contributed their best, to transform the face of India . Hence, it would be impossible to discuss their credentials in just a single article. However, a mention must be made to the Historic Deal, which brought two of the world’s most famous women, Sonia Gandhi and the US Secretary for State, Condoleezza Rice together.
US and India are negotiating a historic nuclear deal, by which India ’s isolation of nearly three decades over nuclear policy ends. India would now be permitted to buy US nuclear fuel. In return India would separate its civilian and military nuclear programmes and submit 14 of its nuclear plants for international inspection. After which US and India become ‘Partners of Peace’, taking the light of Peace, Democracy and Freedom even to the darkest corners of the 21st century.
This project which is still being debated by the opposition and scientists brought down Rice a few times to India , for further negotiations and development. Commenting on this nuclear deal, President George Bush said,” We are closer than ever before”.
With the growing prestige and influence of Sonia Gandhi, many laurels and awards have come her way.
* Sonia Gandhi received maximum impact from the citizens and was elected ‘The Indian of the Year 2005’, in the country’s first ever scientific polls conducted by The New Delhi Television (NDTV). * The Center for the State of Developing Societies (CSDS) conducted polls to rank politicians according to their influence and popularity for year 2006. The 1st place went to Sonia Gandhi, 2nd – former Prime Minister A.B.Vajpayee – 3rd current Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. * Even a Pakistani publication struck a bond of harmony and forbearance, by voting Sonia Gandhi as the Most Popular Politician for year 2006, despite Indian and Pakistan being Nuclear-armed neighbours, striving to end an animosity of nearly six decades.
* In a unique honour, in Nov 2006, Guy Verhofstadt the Prime Minister of Belgium, conferred on Sonia Gandhi, the ‘Order of Leopald’ the 2nd highest civilian award, for her ‘constructive nationalism to foster a multicultural and tolerant society in India ‘.
* The Forbes Magazine which ranks the hundred most powerful women in the world, said to be based on’ the composite of visibility, measured by press citation and economic impact’ , had ranked Sonia Gandhi 13th for the year 2006 and 6 th for 2007. Germany ’s first ever woman Chancellor Angela Merkel has been holding onto the first place first for 2006 & 2007 – that is as the ‘Most Powerful Woman in The World’.
* The Time Magazine which conducts a survey called ‘Time 100’, had listed Sonia-ji as one among the World’s 100 most Influential People of year 2007.
The value and volume of Sonia Gandhi’s goodness and compassion was noted, when during an interview she mentioned that ‘Her Proudest Moment’, was when the Government of India, was able to render prompt relief and restoration to those affected by the nation’s worst ever natural devastation, the Tsunami of Sunday 26 December 2004 .
The killer waves triggered by an earthquake from Sumatra , Indonesia , that measured 8.6 on the Richter scale, had caused a monetary damage of about Rs 11,544.91 crores. Yet, India politely declined foreign aid and stood on her own feet, managing out of own funds. Filled with an overwhelming commitment, the government succeeded in the grave task, of protecting and caring for the survivors and rebuilding their lives….and was also able to extend help, outside the nation.
Now, a strange controversy has cropped up over the film on Sonia Gandhi’ life, being produced by Jagmohan Mundhra. Certain sectors are revolting that the Italian actress Monica Belluci, should not portray Sonia-ji in the film, for this very actress had played the role of Mary Magdalene in Mel Gibson’s famous ‘The Passion of Christ’. Their argument is that the Holy Bible reveals Mary Magdalene as an adulteress plunged in deep sin, out of whom, Jesus Christ had driven out seven demons. Later she repented and reformed to become a follower of Christ.
However…some broadminded persons are trying to reason out that Monica Belluci is best suited for the role, for she was born at Citta di Castello in Umbria , which is close to the birth place of Sonia Gandhi. The release of this movie now remains a question mark, for the people of India uphold Sonia-ji, in the higher ranks of a woman with a moral halo.
Sonia Gandhi was the cynosure of the International Community, when she inaugurated the two –day International Conference on ‘Peace, Non-Violence and Empowerment, Gandhian Philosophy in the 21st Century”, and took full responsibility in conducting the event without a single flaw... This event organized by the Congress Party was held from 29 - 30 January 2007 , at New Delhi., to mark the 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s ‘Satyagraha’.
The word Satyagraha is derived from Sanskrit the oldest language in the world. Satya means’ Truth’ and Agraha means ‘Firmness’. Mahatma Gandhi believed that Satyagraha was the most potent method of ensuring peace .It was a new diplomacy for struggle and political warfare.
This high profile conference was well attended by distinguished delegates from 82 countries. The urgent thrust of the conference, were discussions on Conflict Resolution, Peace Building , Disarmament and Poverty Alleviation. The delegates are to jointly appeal to the United Nations, to declare October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, as International Non-Violence Day. The two closing sessions of this high profile meet, were addressed by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
All eyes were on Congress President, who seemed to be the ‘Guardian of Humanity’, stressing that the Gandhian principles should be evolved to suit the current day needs of the contemporary world.
It was a real pat on the back, for the International Conference which stressed on ‘unity of mankind, diverse cultures and religious beliefs, for the first time in India (at that time), the four top posts are held by four persons of different creeds. The President of India, Dr A.P.J.Abdul Kalam is a Muslim, Congress President Sonia Gandhi grew up as a staunch as staunch Roman Catholic, The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh is s Sikh and the Leader of the Opposition L.K.Advani is a Hindu.
In October 2007, when the United Nations marked 2nd October the Birthday of Mahatma Gandhi as ‘The International Day of Non-Violence’, Sonia Gandhi who was in New York drew the rapt attention of World Leaders and Politicians as a ‘Great Lover of Peace’ when she addressed the UN Assembly saying “It is not the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi that is in quest today. It is whether we have the courage to emulate his preaching and what he lived and died for “.
Many women’s organizations have perceived before hand that someday Sonia Gandhi will receive the world’s most prestigious award “The Nobel Prize for Peace’, for her tireless efforts to better the world for the poor of India and for aiming to serve humanity based on the Gandhian principles.
This brings to our minds, a vivid picture of the year 1979, when the great humanitarian of the world Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. Entire citizens of India, took it as a personal pride, for the Roman Catholic nun from Albania had become a part and parcel of India, offering her full self for the care and concern if the lepers and poor of India.
Considering, Mother Teresa as ‘A Heritage of India’, The Posts and Telegraphs Department of the Government of India, honoured her by releasing a stamp on 27 August 1980 . The stamp bore ‘the portrait of Mother Teresa with the facsimile of the reverse of the Nobel Peace Prize medallion’.
There is something about Sonia Gandhi that draws people to her. Is it her simplicity or compassion for the poor or the keen insight on secularism or her moral grandeur? It is a difficult task to analyze the causes, yet the truth is that, today Sonia-ji has attained an International Stature and may soon become a Legend in her own lifetime.
All those who called Sonia Gandhi a weak leader and a novice in politics, would now be ready to take back their words, for having discovered politics, she has practiced it very well and has matured amazingly in the field of politics.
Thus, proving true the old saying, ‘. In general leadership is a powerful impulse, instinctive in human nature and bobbling up in all directions, in spite of every repression and denial “.
Leadership is grouped into three categories * Institutional Type * Dominant Type * Persuasive Type. Soni-ji falls into the third category that is the persuasive leader. For her power resides in her setting an example of moral integrity and strength of character. By exercising moral suasion, she has succeeded in the establishment of the very efficient UPA Government, in India today.
A share in the credit for Sonia Gandhi’s enormous popularity go to her children too. Although it is widely believed that everything a child take pride in, comes from the mother. Here... for a change, this saying can be reversed for Sonia-ji’s son Rahul Gandhi and daughter Priyanka Vadra, have stood by their mother, sharing her weals and woes, along her journey in politics. Proving that, they too are the truest indicators, to Sonia-ji’s strength and robust popularity.
On International Women’s Day of 8 March 2007 , as Chairperson of the UPA Government, Sonia Gandhi sent a rallying cry across the entire nation. She said, “Our Constitution entitles women to equal opportunities and rights. But in some parts of the land the rate of female foeticide is high and the gender ratio is terribly skewed Girls are not being sent to school in many places and women face prejudice and discrimination at the workplace. Despite these formidable odds, women achieve success. However, for every few women who achieve success, many others remain in social bondage. We must pay attention to millions of these women on the International Women’s Day “.
The word ‘Sonia’ has now become a common parlance in Indian household. However, it is for history to determine and record Sonia-ji as the iron willed woman, who contributed vehemently to change the destiny of India , perhaps setting it on the path to be the next Global Super Power.
Finally, let us listen to the voices of a few, who have something valuably significant to say about Sonia-ji.
· “ This again has proved that she is the country’s tallest leader and has commitment to moral values “ :- Dr Manmohan Singh., Prime Minister of India . Context: Moral Grandeur.
· “ I was greatly moved when you willingly stood down at a time when your candidature was going to cause a bit of rupture, thank you for your graciousness “ :- Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Context: Selfless Sacrifice.
· “ Girl students should follow the example set by Congress President Sonia Gandhi , in public life, if they were to blossom into good citizens “. : - Dr.M. Karunanidhi , Chief Minister of the State of Tamil Nadu. Context: Role Model.
· “She is a lover of peace”:- Pervez Musharaaf, President of Pakistan. Context : Indo-Pak Peace Process
· “The result is the verdict of my mother’s hard work. It is also a testimony to the strength of the Congress Party “
: - Rahul Gandhi (son of Sonia Gandhi). Context: Victory of Elections 2004.
· “ My mother stands for certain set of values, she strives to uphold them in life and every step that she has taken, has been in accordance to that “. :- Priyanka Vadra (daughter of Sonia Gandhi) Context : Moral values in life.
· “I met her so many years ago, when her mother-in-law was still alive……. I remember her as a very reserved, very discreet, full of style ……She was very conscious of her role and that she was no longer Italian, in the sense that she had changed her life deeply. It was a very positive message from her …. The sense of duty that she so clearly had “.
:-Romano Prodi, The Prime Minister of Italy: Context: On his recent visit to India .
· “In times of stress, women, much more than men, show an inner strength”. :- Guido Rampoldi. Journalist – La Repubblica , Italy . Context: Courage of Sonia Gandhi.
· “ A strong willed woman, made out of the same mould as Indira Gandhi, the cherished first woman Prime Minister of India “. :- Women of India. Context: Will Power
· “Her grit and courage urged me to make a film on her life story”:- Film Producer - Jagmohan Mundhra . Context : Valour
: It is said that Tacitus, the famous historian of the Roman Days, noted for his sound judgment, wrote thus of ruler Germanicus, “A man whom the whole world would have judged capable of ruling, had he never ruled “. If we are to break open the tomb of Tacitus and bring him back alive, he would write thus of Sonia Gandhi, “A shining example of ‘women in politics’, whom the whole world would have missed, had Sonia Gandhi never ruled”.
