News Desk: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has made her Instagram debut, sharing the first look of her upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. The 79-year-old leader joined the social media platform on Wednesday and introduced the book to readers in her first post.
Describing the memoir as a story of “love, duty, loss and finding a place to belong”, Sonia Gandhi expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share her personal journey. She also shared photographs featuring her daughter, Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
In her first Instagram message, Sonia wrote that she was happy to share the first look of the book and looked forward to connecting with readers. Her entry into the platform marks a new step in her public engagement, particularly as social media continues to play an increasingly important role in political communication.
The memoir is scheduled for worldwide release on November 10 through Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
A personal journey from Italy to India
The upcoming book traces Sonia Gandhi's life from her childhood in post-war Italy to her journey in India. It reportedly explores her romance with Rajiv Gandhi during their time at Cambridge, her entry into the Nehru-Gandhi family and the personal tragedies that shaped her life.
These include the assassinations of her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and her husband, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
Despite spending decades at the centre of Indian politics and serving as Congress president for nearly two decades across two terms, Sonia Gandhi has largely maintained a private public persona. The memoir is expected to offer readers a more personal account of her experiences and her relationship with India.
Publishing dispute over the Indian edition
The book has also attracted attention following reports of a disagreement between Sonia Gandhi and Penguin Random House India over its contents.
According to earlier media reports, the proposed publishing arrangement with Penguin Random House India fell through after Gandhi reportedly declined to alter references to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Chinese intrusions.
HarperCollins subsequently finalised an agreement to publish and distribute the Indian edition. The development brought additional attention to the memoir ahead of its release.
Rahul Gandhi expresses pride
Rahul Gandhi has previously expressed pride in his mother's decision to share her life story with the public. On the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition said he was happy that millions of readers would get an opportunity to understand her journey.
He also acknowledged how difficult it must have been for someone as private as his mother to tell her story publicly.
With the November 10 release approaching, Sonia Gandhi's memoir is expected to draw considerable interest from readers keen to learn more about her personal experiences, family life and decades-long journey through India's political landscape.
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