NEW DELHI: A staffer made to stand in a corner, a senior Congress leader ordered to face the wall and another person ignored for days. Indira Gandhi had different ways of dealing with those who triggered her “occasional explosions of temper”, Sonia Gandhi writes in her recently released memoir, recalling her early days as a bride in the Nehru-Gandhi family.In her much-anticipated memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, the senior Congress leader offers a glimpse into the temperament of the former prime minister and her mother-in-law, describing how her sudden outbursts could leave even those around her visibly shaken.The 544-page book, published by HarperCollins India, traces the arc of Sonia's life, from her childhood in post-war Italy and marriage into the Nehru-Gandhi family to the assassination of her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, and her eventual entry into politics.“What I found most alarming was my mother-in-law's occasional explosions of temper. They could freeze the staff into numbness,” she writes.Recalling one such incident, Sonia says a staff member who had repeatedly forgotten to remind Indira of an important appointment was made to stand…
'I'd quake in my seat': Sonia recalls Indira's temper, early days as bride in memoir
In short
In *Belonging: A Journey of Love*, Sonia Gandhi describes how Indira Gandhi would push her dinner thali away after heated parliamentary sessions or ignore people for days. While Rajiv and Sanjay Gandhi learned to quietly wait out these outbursts, Indira often felt remorse afterward unless she felt personally betrayed. At home, the former leader relieved stress by categorizing her collection of sarees and Kashmiri shawls with her family. Later in life, the arrival of her grandchildren significantly softened her temper and brought her consistent calm.
Key points
- Indira Gandhi exhibited sudden, unsettling explosions of temper at home following intense…: Indira Gandhi exhibited sudden, unsettling explosions of temper at home following intense parliamentary and political conflicts.
- Although quick to show anger, Indira typically felt remorse afterward unless she believed…: Although quick to show anger, Indira typically felt remorse afterward unless she believed an associate had fundamentally betrayed her trust.
- Becoming a grandmother significantly eased Indira's domestic tensions and consistently br…: Becoming a grandmother significantly eased Indira's domestic tensions and consistently brought a softening calm to her daily demeanor.