‘Love grows into responsibility’: Sonia Gandhi’s memoir offers a glimpse into life with the Nehru- Gandhi family

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi's memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, has offered readers a glimpse into her life with the Nehru-Gandhi family. HarperCollins India shared excerpts from the book ahead of its November 10 release. The memoir documents how Sonia Gandhi made India her home after marrying former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

According to the excerpts, food and family meals played a significant role in Sonia Gandhi's adaptation to her new surroundings. She describes tandoori chicken as one of the first Indian dishes she tried with Rajiv Gandhi, finding it "bright red, slightly charred and set her mouth on fire." Over time, she began to enjoy meals with her family, which included rice, phulkas, vegetables, and meat dishes served on thalis. Arhar dal, a daily dish, was also part of her routine.

HarperCollins India's post accompanying the excerpts highlighted the themes of the book, stating that "the unfamiliar becomes familiar, the familiar becomes loved, love grows into responsibility, and that is belonging." The memoir explores the relationship between family, personal experiences, and public life, offering a unique perspective on an extraordinary life and a changing India.