Rajiv Gandhi was an Indian politician and the seventh Prime Minister of India. He was the son of Indira Gandhi and the husband of Sonia Gandhi. He was also assassinated, like his mother, while he was Prime Minister.
Wiki/Biography
Rajiv Gandhi was born on Sunday, August 20, 1944 in Bombay, the Rashtrapati Bhavan, Bombay (46 years old at the time of his death). His zodiac sign is Leo. He received his primary education from Shiv Niketan School, New Delhi, Welham Boys School, Dehradun and Doon School, Dehradun. In 1965, he studied for a Bachelor of Science and Technology degree at Trinity College, Cambridge University, but did not receive the degree. In 1966, he entered Imperial College London to study mechanical engineering, but did not complete his studies either. Rajiv Gandhi was not very studious; this was a fact that he himself admitted.
Rajiv Gandhi in college
In 1966, Rajiv returned to India. He went to Delhi and joined the Delhi Flying Club where he received pilot training. He underwent 4 years of training and was recruited as a pilot by Air India in 1970. He had no interest in a career in politics, so he chose aviation.
Rajiv Gandhi as pilot
While he was at university in Cambridge, he met Sonia Gandhi. They had an affair for three years and married in 1968. Sonia’s real name was Edvige Antonia Albina Màino; after her marriage she changed her name to Sonia.
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′10″
Weight (approximately): 70kg
Eye color: black
Hair color: black
rajiv gandhi
Family, wife and caste
Rajiv Gandhi was born into a Brahmin family. His father, Feroze Gandhi, was an Indian politician. His mother Indira Gandhi is the former Prime Minister of India. His younger brother Sanjay Gandhi is a politician. Sanjay Gandhi’s husband is Indian politician Maneka Gandhi.
Rajiv Gandhi’s parents Feroze Gandhi and Indira Gandhi
Rajiv Gandhi married Sonia Gandhi on February 25, 1968. They got married after a Hindu ceremony. Even though Sonia is Italian. They have two children, a son Rahul Gandhi and a daughter Priyanka Gandhi. Rahul is a bachelor while Priyanka is married to Robert Vadra.
Rajiv Gandhi and family
Rajiv Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra
political career
Rajiv Gandhi had no interest in entering politics, but after the accidental death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash, Rajiv began his political career on February 16, 1981. His mother, Indira Gandhi, convinced him to enter politics. He contested the first election from Amethi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh and won. On August 17, 1981, he was sworn in as a member of Congress.
Rajiv Gandhi in Parliament
In December 1981, he was appointed President of the Indian Youth Congress. On October 31, 1984, after the death of his mother Indira Gandhi, he was appointed Prime Minister. In November 1984, Rajiv became prime minister and asked the president to dissolve parliament and hold new elections; the Lok Sabha had completed its five-year term. Subsequently, he was elected chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. The Congress Party won a landslide victory and Rajiv was sworn in as Prime Minister on December 31, 1984; at the age of 40, he became the youngest Prime Minister. He served as Prime Minister until December 2, 1989, when Vice President Manmohan Singh’s government came to power.
Rajiv Gandhi sworn in as Prime Minister
dispute
- In November 1984, anti-Sikh riots broke out in Delhi after her mother was assassinated. “When a big tree falls, the ground below shakes,” he said in one of his speeches. The statement was seen as justification for anti-Sikh riots; which were orchestrated by Congress leaders. His remarks were widely criticized.
Rajiv Gandhi speaks at rally
- After being sworn in, he appointed a cabinet of fourteen members. He said he monitors everyone and removes poor performers. Rajiv reshuffled his cabinet several times during his tenure as prime minister. This has sparked criticism and confusion over whether Rajiv is qualified to serve as prime minister. The media dubbed it the Wheel of Chaos. Many political leaders said –
Cabinet change reflects instability in Congress-centric government”
- In 1985, the Supreme Court of India ruled in Shahbano’s favor and stipulated that her husband must pay alimony. Several Indian Muslim men protested against the Supreme Court ruling under the Muslim Personal Law. Rajiv Gandhi accepted their demands and passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986; thus overturning the Supreme Court judgment. The new bill stipulates that alimony should be paid within 90 days of divorce; in accordance with Sharia law. This angered many Indians. Newspapers and magazines termed this act as Gandhi’s policy of minority appeasement. Former law minister Ram Jethmalani said the entire situation was –
The regressive obscurantism of short-term minority populism”
- In April 1987, Vice President Manmohan Singh revealed details of corruption in the Rajiv Gandhi government. He revealed that Swedish arms company Bofors paid millions of dollars. The payments were received by Italian businessman and Gandhi family associate Ottavio Quattrocchi in exchange for Indian military and weapons contracts. Investigation launched into Bofors scam. Rajiv Gandhi lost the 1989 election because his image as an honest politician was tarnished.
- In November 1991, Swiss magazine Schweizer Illustrierte claimed that Rajiv held 2.5 billion Swiss francs in multiple secret accounts in Switzerland. The opposition raised the issue and called for an investigation into the matter. Many consider it shameful and embarrassing that the former prime minister has been accused of such matters by a Swiss magazine.
Rajiv Gandhi featured in Swiss magazine Schweizer Illustrierte
- The 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy killed thousands and sickened millions. Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) boss Warren Anderson came to India four days after the tragedy and was immediately placed under house arrest by the government. Despite this, Anderson was released within 24 hours of his arrest. Anderson reportedly contacted numerous U.S. officials and the U.S. Embassy pressured the Rajiv Gandhi government to release him. Anderson fled the country and never returned to India to face trial; the incident was classified as corporate negligence. Many police officials claimed that the order to arrest Anderson was in writing, but that the order to release him came from someone more senior.
assassination
On May 21, 1991, Rajiv addressed his last public meeting in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. He campaigned for Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha candidate there. While Rajiv was meeting people in the crowd and greeting him, a woman named Thenmozhi Rajaratnam approached Rajiv and greeted him. When she bent down to touch Rajiv’s feet, she detonated a belt bomb containing 700 grams of RDX under her skirt. The explosion killed Rajiv Gandhi and 25 others.
Minutes before Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination
Rajiv Gandhi’s mutilated body was airlifted and flown to New Delhi. His body was sent to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences for autopsy, reconstruction and embalming. On May 24, 1991, a state funeral was held for Rajiv Gandhi. The funeral was broadcast live on television and was attended by dignitaries from more than 60 countries. Rajiv Gandhi was cremated at Veer Bhumi; located on the banks of the Yamuna River, near the graves of his mother Indira Gandhi, brother Sanjay Gandhi and grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru (Samadhis).
Rajiv Gandhi’s body was cremated by his son Rahul Gandhi
fact
- His name means Kamal (lotus). He was named after his grandmother Kamala (wife of Jawaharlal Nehru).
Rajiv Gandhi and his grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru
- Rajiv Gandhi was a very shy child who was very interested in painting.
- In 1987, he visited Sri Lanka to sign the India-Sri Lanka Agreement. As he was heading to a meeting, an honor guard tried to hit him in the head with a rifle; killing him. Rajiv noticed the guard brandishing his rifle and ducked quickly. This resulted in the rifle striking him in the shoulder.
Attempt to assassinate Rajiv Gandhi
- Rajiv Gandhi promoted the establishment of BSNL and MTNL; helping people communicate easily. He came up with the concept of Public Call Offices (PCOs); this provided easy communication services to rural areas where everyone could not afford BSNL services.
- He initiated the modernization of Indian Railways by introducing a computerized train ticketing system.
- Rajiv Gandhi helped change the face of communications in India. He wanted people to use computers and lowered tariffs and import duties on computers. He encouraged companies to manufacture computers in India. His efforts in introducing modern technology into the field of communications led him to be called the “Father of India’s Information Technology and Telecom Revolution”
Rajiv Gandhi speaks at telecom conference
- Rajiv Gandhi lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 years. He believes the country’s youth should also have a say in the selection of legislators. In 1989, the 61st Amendment to the Constitution was passed, granting citizens over the age of 18 the right to vote.
- Rajiv Gandhi is considered the founder of Panchayati Raj. He believed that Panchayati Raj was the only way to bring democracy to the grassroots. Panchayati Raj was created under the 73rd and 74th Amendments to the Constitution in 1992; a year after Rajiv’s assassination.
Rajiv Gandhi explains benefits of rural Panchayati Raj
- In May 1988, he launched “Operation Black Thunder.” The purpose of this operation was to eliminate extremists from the Golden Temple. Two teams are sent to eliminate the terrorists. The operation lasted for 10 days and was later declared a success. Terrorists were eliminated and weapons and ammunition were recovered.
- In 1991, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Sonia Gandhi accepts Rajiv Gandhi’s Bharat Ratna
- Since the death of Rajiv Gandhi, May 21 has been declared as Anti-Terrorism Day in India.
- The central government has built a monument to Rajiv Gandhi at the place where Sriperumbudur was assassinated in Tamil Nadu. It was inaugurated in 2003 by Sonia Gandhi, wife of Rajiv Gandhi, and former President of India Abdul Kalam. There are seven pillars surrounding the explosion site at the memorial.
Rajiv Gandhi Memorial Museum
- His blood type is O negative.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education