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The Gandhi family, one of the most prominent political families of the country, has opened the pages of its personal and family memories on the occasion of the holy festival of Diwali. Congress Parliamentary Party chief Sonia Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have shared the golden moments of Diwali spent with former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi through a very intimate and informal conversation. In this special conversation released on the social media platform Instagram, Sonia and Priyanka recalled the colors of the traditional festival celebrated from the streets of Old Delhi to the courtyard of their house. This conversation is not just a formality of celebrating a festival, but presents a rare glimpse of the simple, simplicity and love-filled family life of that period, which a family cherished in their home, away from the glare of politics.
In this heart-warming conversation between mother and daughter in the sacred atmosphere of Diwali, memories of those days when this great festival of lights was celebrated without any modern pretense came alive. Sonia Gandhi told in a very emotional manner that the festival of Diwali has always been very dear to her. When she saw and experienced this festival of lights closely for the first time after coming to India, she was mesmerized by its cultural and spiritual nature. He told that in those times, festivals did not just mean fireworks or noise, but all the family members sitting together, following the traditional rules and lighting up every corner of the house with their faith and hard work.
Referring to traditional beliefs and customs, Sonia Gandhi said that the rules of Diwali worship in her house were very clear and unbreakable. On the evening of the festival, first of all, a special and auspicious idol of Lord Shri Ganesha was installed with reverence at the main entrance of the house. The first earthen lamp of the entire festival and worship was lit at the feet of Lord Ganesha. Sonia Gandhi very intimately revealed that the historic and revered idol was not meant to be used only once, but was treasured every year and the sacred idol is completely safe with her even today, which she installs with the same faith every Diwali.
Recalling the simplicity of that era, he said that unlike today, there was no trend of small colorful electric strings hanging on houses or Chinese fringes. The entire house was illuminated with the pure light of traditional earthen lamps. Hundreds of lamps were placed in rows around the water pond in front of the house, on the long terraces, in the open verandahs and on every small and big path in the garden. The natural flame of those lamps flickering amidst the gentle breeze of the wind presented a wonderful, serene and supernatural sight throughout the night, which cannot be compared with any modern lighting device of today.
During the conversation, Priyanka Gandhi recalled those beautiful days of her childhood when her father late Rajiv Gandhi himself used to get completely engrossed in the joy of the festival with the children. Priyanka told that a few days before Diwali, her father used to take her and Rahul Gandhi to Chandni Chowk, the historic and crowded area of Old Delhi, to buy crackers and fireworks. The splendor of the Diwali shops decorated in the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk, the variety of firecrackers found there and the thrill of walking in that environment holding father’s finger is still very fresh in his mind.
Priyanka Gandhi also shared that on festival days, not only her own family was there, but people from different states and regions of the country, acquaintances and security personnel would gather in her family’s large garden. The whole atmosphere became like a huge celebration where everyone hugged and congratulated each other. On this, Sonia Gandhi smilingly added that she was never interested in ear-splitting or loud bombs and firecrackers. Her most favorite thing was always the sparklers that emitted beautiful light, which she used to light with great enthusiasm along with the children. He also remembered the clean environment of that time, the pollution-free air and the deep blue color of Delhi’s sky during Diwali, which has now become rare in modern metros.
Food and traditional dishes have their own special significance during festivals. Throwing light on the cooking and food traditions of the Gandhi family, Sonia Gandhi said that Diwali feast was always special in her house. Since the roots of the Nehru-Gandhi family were linked to Kashmir, on the special occasion of Diwali, pure traditional Kashmiri dishes were prepared in the home kitchen. The aroma of these dishes consisting of special spices, saffron and dry fruits filled the entire house.
Apart from this, after Diwali puja, sweet rice (Kesariya Bhaat) was traditionally prepared, which was first offered to God and then distributed as Prasad among the family and guests. Sonia Gandhi said with pride that even in this era of modernity, her family has not changed its old heritage and food traditions. Even today, every Diwali, the same traditional Kashmiri dish and fragrant sweet rice are prepared with the same recipe and love, which serves to keep the family’s cultural roots firmly connected.
This intimate and emotional conversation between Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi has come at a very important juncture. Sonia Gandhi’s much-awaited memoir and autobiography ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’ is going to be formally published on November 10. There is already tremendous curiosity in the political circles of the country and the world about this book being brought out by the prestigious publishing house HarperCollins India.
In this book, Sonia Gandhi has penned down those untouched and sensitive moments of her personal life, which till now have remained hidden from the eyes of the general public and the media. It details her journey from a small town in Italy to becoming the daughter-in-law of India, the maternal company of Indira Gandhi, the years of happiness and sorrow spent with Rajiv Gandhi, her rise to the center of Indian politics after national tragedies and her outlook on the country’s democratic institutions. This Diwali memoir, shared just before the release of the book, has introduced readers and fans to the emotional and domestic side of Sonia Gandhi which is usually hidden behind political statements.