CELEBRATING THE BIRTHDAY OF FORMER LEADER : RAJIV GANDHI

By Anshika Khera

Rajiv Gandhi was the 6th Prime Minister of India, serving from 1984 to 1989. Born on August 20, 1944, in Bombay (now Mumbai), he was the eldest son of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and Feroze Gandhi. Initially uninterested in politics, Rajiv pursued studies in engineering in the United Kingdom and later became a commercial pilot with Indian Airlines.

His entry into politics was unexpected. After the tragic death of his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi in 1980, Rajiv was persuaded to step into public life. He soon became a key figure in the Indian National Congress. Following the assassination of Indira Gandhi in October 1984, Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister.

Rajiv Gandhi is remembered for ushering India into the computer and telecommunications revolution, promoting modernization, and encouraging science and technology. He also signed landmark agreements to bring peace in Punjab and Assam. However, his tenure was marred by controversies such as the Bofors scandal.

In 1991, while campaigning for elections in Tamil Nadu, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber linked to the LTTE. Despite his short career, he left a lasting impact on India’s modernization and is remembered as one of the youngest leaders of the nation.