"To be kind to those who are unkind to you; to know that life is fair, no matter how unfair you imagine it to be; to keep walking, no matter how dark the skies or fearsome the storm; ..To nurture a strong heart, and fill it with love no matter how great it’s sorrows; these are the gifts of my father’s life" - Priyanka Gandhi....
You can view it here in full: http://simigarewal.com/indias_rajiv.html
Part I is about ‘The Person’ (1944-1984)
Covering his family, his childhood, Sanjay, his mother, Sonia whom he met at Varesity a Greek Restaurant, his children and other personal things. It wasn’t a Prime Minister talking - just a regular, loving husband and father very soft spoken, voice gently prodding, elegant, graceful and aristocrat. For a man who initially resisted stepping into politics, he was a far-thinking with modern progressive ideas..The film opens with the assassination of Indira Gandhi - Sikh security men pumping 16 bullets on her - She served India to her last blood literally indeed and the events led to Rajiv becoming the Prime Minister; when the world first saw him, he was shattered in tragedy, in the video we can also see Rahul crying inconsolably.
Then there is this flashing back to the real beginning - The story of Rajiv began, even before the beginning, when Indira was 13, her mother collapsed and was unwell. An 18 year student came and nursed her.The student was Firoze Jahangir Gandhi. He proposed to Indira at 16, but Indira declined - this happened many times. Finally she agreed in Paris - the marriage of Kashmiri Indira and Parsee Feroze Gandhi in 1942 which was first opposed by Nehru who was in jail then. On 20th October 1944 Rajiv was born at 8.22 am in Bombay. Nehru - Nana- who could switch level quickly with children and people had the first glimpse when he was moving from one jail to another, Feroze and Indira took the baby and stood outside the prison. Nehru inculcated human values in him and Rajiv found it difficult to understand the complexity of religion. Rajiv was always gentle even when naughty, sober, and different from his brother. Their father taught them dignity of labour, to speak out; but died in 1960 at 48 due to heart attack, after their holiday of a month in Kashmir. First real death of a close person, sorrow remained with him. Indira found in Sonia a daughter she did not have and the bond grew between 1977 and 1980. They led a happy life as a family man and pilot. Never interested in politics or public life. He was happy with Sanjay doing that and leading a private life. It was in 1980 after his younger, politically ambitious brother passed away, he was dragged into the harsh glare of national publicity as his mother needed help. Sonia was not happy with the decision, she felt, she would loose Rajiv if he entered politics. What was difficult was what the children would have to go through. Giving adequate time for them was important. Finally on May 10, 1981 he resigned from Air force after one year of his brothers death, and filed nomination from Amity beginning a new chapter in his life. He toured across India, and once when away, heard of the tragic assassination of his mother.
With every end, there is a new beginning and a new hope.
Part II : The Prime Minister (1984-1989)
India, more diverse than the continent of Europe, embracing many religion, more than 200 million people voted for one person, an overwhelming mandate which even Nehru had not received - may be because of sympathy, change - youth, continuity - decent and sweet tempered, down to earth, normal human being, who do not waste time in the unnecessary with a dream for India to be fulfilled. It was on the new year's eve of 1985. He gave people a dream of a modern new world, and people were impatient to get there, under a leader of new generation, modern, secular with right instinct. A panel of India’s leading political observers, including newspaper editors and opposition leaders, analyse his term in office. His mothers successor, descendant of a political family, his tenure saw both triumph and controversy. He was persuaded to lead - and pressurized, was lavished with praise - and battered by criticism. Rajiv talks about the burdens and challenges of governing the world’s largest democracy - a job he was once reluctant to pursue. Once he assumed the role, he took it up with – Poise and confidence. He brought out many good policies. People saw what they wanted to see. Expectations were high, though it was difficult to meet all - there was stability in economy, and globally. Anti-defection policy signed, Punjab accord signed. Press had full freedom. He was a good person, but a politician -No – He was not manipulative, could not horse trade and was not aware of scheming, or manovoring. His skill in assessing of people was limited and never questioned their reliability. Hence he had an uncanny ability to get wrong advise. Could not see through other persons or hidden meaning, and was not equipped to see insincerity. Basically was not street smart. Mostly he took Sonia for all his tours. He had high regard to leaders of other countries as well including Benazir Bhutto. Both from similar background - Rajiv at Cambridge and Benazir at oxford, tough and ability to cope with difficulty with challenges at home; both from political family but from new generation. There was no leader in opposition, or there were too many opposition. V.P. Singh from his party, moved out was considered out, but people had egos and not sincere. During his five years, he learned a lot, he thought in substance he had learned a lot, especially in choosing people. Today a person of responsibility carry immense power and there is a heavy price for power. After he lost his election he was committed for working for people of India, and to make a place for India in the world. Leaving under public and terrorist treats, have never deterred him, though it created uneasiness - was ready to die for what he believed in. He had a dream for India to be back in leader of human civilization, social justice, poverty eradicated, dignity, human rights fully guaranteed, where human being and every human being matter, sending out message of tolerance, compassion and one humanity. Induced by his goals, there was no looking back. A dream to be realized, a destination to be reached, with hope that the time would do him justice.
Part III : The Politician: The End (1989-1991)
Over 4000 years ago, in 2500 B.C, the game of Chess was introduced in India. A game of strategy and skill. This ancient game is still played in modern India, the battle field is the Indian political arena. The Pursuit is power. The consequences - History.
This is the story of the last eighteen months of Rajiv's life..ending in his tragic assassination.
By destiny and dynasty through democracy he was propelled to become the Prime Minister of India. 39 of 44 years this family was in power. November 1989 elections were announced. In August 1988, National Front was created, and V.P. Sing chalked out a war strategy. Rajiv's right hand man became his arch rival. Five years later, having lost the elections in 1989, he took on the mantle of Leader of the Opposition, it was a hung parliament. He was asked to form government, but he declined. Rajiv thought that people thought the change was not enough and wanted more development. There is a deep frustration in the system. Bofor's issue was not handled well, credibility was lost in the beginning. More frank they were, they got into more mess. VHP and BJP signed a document that they will have the shilaniyas only outside where the mosque was. He let the oppositions unite. People thought that there was a ring of security and distance between him and people. There was a dichotomy as a Prime minister and a politician. He created a good image to the world over as the Prime minister, but could not be manipulative and maniuvare as a politicain. He spoke with poise always.
Making of new PM was an action packed event when amazing and sometimes bizarre political events unfolded. Events that played like a political thriller and rocked the two governments that came to power.. Decision was taken to propose Devi Lal - he declined and nominated VP Sing. Chadrasekhar was maneuvered and betrayed. V.P Sing went about bofors issue in vindictive way. But nothing came out. So new issues had to be brought out. Thought of becoming leader of backward classes. Kindled and fished Mandel commission and reservation bill, which kindled public outrage and widespread contamination by the press. V.P Sing was warned. 'When you want change, you need to shed blood' said V.P. Sing. Caste-sim rekindled – prisoned by narrow domestic walls.
During this intense period of introspection Rajiv Gandhi ex-presses frankly his analysis of where he went wrong, the mis-takes that were made, the lessons that he learned and his plans for the future that lay ahead. Started travelling in second class, discussed things with people, and renewed contact with masses. When at home, he gave morning dharshan to the people. Kept only 3 security, even after 2 assassination attempts, consulted various leaders during the day. Vincent George remained Rajiv's faithful secretary. When free, he played with his dog. Day ended at 1 am in the morning. He realised education was important and reservations needed to be reconsidered. According to him state had no religion, taking the best and rejecting the bad making India a secular country. Democracy allows people to choose their own ways, being under one umbrella.
Secularisam means religious country, with full freedom for all religion to develop, propagate and prosper. With a population of 700 million hindus and 120 million Muslims. BJP felt threaten by VP Sing, and they galvanized into action. Shrewdly, cynically exploited communical and religious fervor - Nakedly political demonstration, the rath yathra was a Bandwagon – nakedly political demonstration – BJP wanted to buid temple where Ram was born– creation of Hindu Rashtra. In their scheme of things, Resentment of Minority – 100 million citizens will become second grade citizens. Religion and politics if mixed is explosive for anyone, anywhere in the world, so was Rajiv's view. Nov. 7, 1990 ; 11 months after being elected, V.P Sing was voted out of office, got hold by deception. VP sing said - He never made personal charge - Rajiv was always sophisticated.
The moment Chandrasekhar was waiting for had arrived. Rajiv repeated that he did not want to form government without mandate. Chandrasekhar was never a mass leader. But there was no working relationship. There was a breach of faith by putting surveillance on him and government, and Delhi police was also brought. President of India dissolved parliament. Second general election was called in 18 months.
Nothing is permanent, not loyalties, not enemies, not friendship, everything is transient, everything is expedient. Retribution is swift so is repercussion. Game was daring, players ambititous.
King mated, prawn crowned, bishop advanced. The prize was power. Country was divided like never before – with religion and caste. Power had extracted its price and nation had to pay. As India's man of destiny, the wheel was comming full circle. India was fundamentally secular and it was believed that it will not be drifted.
He was 46 years old. Time was on Rajiv's side, they said. And so it seemed....Fate, it seemed, beckoned Rajiv for the second time. And a new, wiser Rajiv responded. He was on the come-back trail...Time and history on side with sound instinct and sincerity. India had a great future with him. Vulnerable, trusting, nation watched silently as another brave child was brought home. There was so much to be done - First to bring country out of the mess. During the period Congress was working on policy measures. Rajiv plugged into the sea of humanity, which gradually engulfed him. In one brutal blinding crash he was gone into the silent darkness.
If it is to die for what I belive in, I don’t hesitate - Is what he said. He thought his security lay in the warmth of his people. Sonia was always worried and did not want her world to fall apart. 72 hours left for election, and only one assignment left at Sriperambathur, he was very cheerful, thinking a well done campaighn was comming to an end. But that faithful night - in one brutal blinding blast, he was gone into the silent darkness. The moment Sonia had dreaded every single day for 7 years, became a reality. Outside the world wept, for the loss of the past, the loss of the future. Rajiv was worried about what the Children would have to go through and how much sacrifice they would have to make. Blending with the Indian soil, he became one with India - Hope and wish, he was there for more, he come back once again. If he is ever present, where is he? We need you, even more today. Please return....
God gave him everything, but was robbed of one gift the gift of time.
He played with dignity and honour – both the game of life and politics"
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