He used a picture from his boyhood to make his point. “Papa, I will fully shoulder the responsibility of making the India you saw in your head a reality – one that is skilled, has what it takes and is strong. Your values and what you taught me are with me always,” he wrote. In a way, he made of memory a mandate, putting his own leadership in line with the one left behind.
The piece, which went up on Thursday, was as much about where he is going as it was about looking back. Aspiration and strength were the order of the day.
Congress leaders frame legacy for today
Others in the Congress were not far behind in their tributes. Mallikarjun Kharge called him a ‘remarkable son of India’ for the changes he put in place. He even put words to a thought often put in Rajiv’s mouth: “India is an old country but a young nation… I dream of India – strong, independent, self-reliant and in the front rank of the nations of the world, in the service of mankind.”
In separate messages, leaders highlighted specific contributions:
– Kharge called Rajiv Gandhi a ‘remarkable son of India’.
– Cited lowering the voting age to 18 and Panchayati Raj.
– Pointed to advances in telecom, IT, and education policy.
Voices from the memorial
At Vir Bhumi, Bhupinder Singh Hooda put it in plain terms. “Rajiv Gandhi was a symbol of hope for the Indian youth, who looked up to him. He was doing all he could for the country before he was taken from us,” he said.
Then there is the modernisation angle. “In those days, he was the first to be talking about the 21st Century,” said Ashok Gehlot. “He felt we had to get ready for it so we could stand with the rest of the world.”
Family and party pay respects in Delhi
Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Kharge, made their way to the capital to lay flowers. The children of Priyanka, Miraya and Raihan, were there too. You had a room full of senior figures like P Chidambaram and Mukul Wasnik as well. It was as much a family affair as it was a show of unity from the organisation.
Rajiv Gandhi in brief
It has been 35 years since the man who became our youngest PM in 1984 at 40 was killed in a suicide bombing in Sriperumbudur. His story is told over and again, especially come election time. But for the Congress, this anniversary was a chance to reset. With leaders like Rahul laying down how they plan to move ahead, they were trying to make some old history relevant to today.
