From Tandoori Chicken to Prison-Spun Saris: Sonia Gandhi’s ‘Belonging’ Reveals Intimate Journey
Sonia Gandhi's upcoming memoir 'Belonging' reveals her first taste of tandoori chicken and the story behind her wedding sari.
For many, the journey of adapting to a new culture begins with the senses—the smell of unfamiliar spices, the vibrant colors of traditional attire, and the taste of local delicacies. In her upcoming memoir, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', Sonia Gandhi opens up about her personal evolution from a student in Italy to a central figure in Indian public life, revealing how the simplest things, like a plate of spicy chicken, helped her find her place in India.
A Fiery Introduction to Indian Flavors
According to excerpts shared by publisher HarperCollins India, Sonia Gandhi's culinary introduction to India was an intense one. She recalls that one of the first Indian dishes she sampled alongside her late husband, Rajiv Gandhi, was tandoori chicken. The experience was vivid and visceral; she describes the dish as being "bright red" and "slightly charred," noting that it effectively "set her mouth on fire."
What started as a startling encounter with spice eventually evolved into a deep appreciation for Indian home cooking. The memoir details her transition to everyday family meals served on traditional thalis, featuring staples such as rice, phulkas, and various vegetables, accompanied by mutton, fish, or chicken. One particular dish became a non-negotiable part of her daily routine: arhar dal, which she notes was eaten "every day."
The Elegance and Struggle of the Sari
Beyond the kitchen, the memoir delves into Sonia Gandhi's relationship with the sari, a garment she admired for its elegance long before she ever attempted to wear one. However, she admits that admiring the attire from afar was very different from the practical challenge of draping it.
The book shares charming details about her early experiences with the garment:
- The Engagement: For her engagement, she chose a combination of jade green and pale yellow, relying on several safety pins to keep the outfit securely in place.
- The Wedding: Her wedding sari held a profound historical significance, as its yarn had been spun by Jawaharlal Nehru while he was imprisoned during India's struggle for independence.
A Life of Love, Loss, and Public Duty
While the early chapters focus on the warmth of discovery, 'Belonging' is also a chronicle of immense tragedy. The memoir traces her life from her childhood in post-war Italy to meeting Rajiv Gandhi in 1965 when she was a 19-year-old student in Cambridge, England. The couple eventually married on February 25, 1968.
The narrative does not shy away from the darkest periods of her life, revisiting the profound grief following the assassinations of her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and her husband, Rajiv Gandhi. Through these reflections, she explores the intersection of her private sorrows and her public responsibilities in a changing India.
'Belonging: A Journey of Love' is scheduled for release on November 10, 2026, promising a side of Sonia Gandhi that goes beyond the political headlines to reveal the woman behind the public persona.