Early Life and Background
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was born on 20 August 1944 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. He was the eldest son of Indira Gandhi, India’s first and only female Prime Minister, and Feroze Gandhi, a noted parliamentarian and journalist. He spent his early years in Delhi and attended Doon School in Dehradun before studying in the United Kingdom.
Although initially uninterested in politics, Rajiv pursued mechanical engineering at Trinity College, Cambridge, and later trained as a pilot. He worked for Indian Airlines until 1980.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rajiv Ratna Gandhi |
| Born | 20 August 1944, Bombay |
| Died | 21 May 1991, Sriperumbudur |
| Profession | Pilot, Politician |
| Education | Doon School, Cambridge |
| Spouse | Sonia Gandhi (née Maino) |
| Children | Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi |
| Political Entry | 1981, via Amethi by-election |
| PM Tenure | 31 Oct 1984 – 2 Dec 1989 |
| Age as PM | 40 (youngest PM in India) |
Entry into Politics
Rajiv Gandhi formally entered politics after the death of his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash in 1980. Sanjay had been a dominant political figure, expected to inherit Indira Gandhi’s political legacy. Rajiv was initially hesitant but was persuaded to contest the Amethi by-election in 1981, which he won comfortably. This marked the beginning of his political journey.
Prime Ministership (1984–1989)
Political Rise
On 31 October 1984, Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards following Operation Blue Star. Rajiv Gandhi was immediately sworn in as Prime Minister, becoming the youngest Indian PM at age 40.
Major Focus Areas
| Area | Key Actions |
|---|---|
| Technology | Expanded telecom networks, introduced MTNL, C-DOT |
| IT Sector | Promoted computerization, backed software development |
| Economy | Initiated liberalization; reduced import quotas |
| Education | Advocated modernization; supported Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas |
| Women’s Empowerment | Supported 33% reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions |
Foreign and Domestic Challenges
- Punjab Insurgency: Signed the Punjab Accord (1985) with Harchand Singh Longowal.
- Sri Lanka: Signed Indo–Sri Lanka Accord (1987); deployed IPKF, which faced backlash.
- Assam Accord (1985) and Mizo Accord (1986) brought stability to the northeast.
Political Decline
Despite his modernist image, Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure was marred by the Bofors scandal—a controversial defense procurement case involving allegations of kickbacks. This contributed to the Congress Party’s defeat in 1989, where Rajiv became the Leader of the Opposition until his political retirement in December 1990.
Assassination
On 21 May 1991, while campaigning in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a female LTTE suicide bomber. The attack killed 14 others. His assassination was linked to his past involvement in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs and the deployment of Indian troops.
Posthumous Recognition
Rajiv Gandhi was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honor, posthumously in 1991. Several infrastructure projects, institutions, and schemes were later named in his honor.
Ancestry of Faredoon Jehangir Ghandy
Background
Sir Jehangir Faredoon Ghandy (1896–1972), also known as Faredoon Jehangir Ghandy, was Rajiv Gandhi’s paternal grandfather’s father. A Parsi marine engineer, he later transitioned into business and public service, establishing a dignified presence in early 20th-century India.
Contributions and Recognition
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jehangir Faredoon Ghandy |
| Born | 1896 |
| Died | 1972 |
| Profession | Marine Engineer, Businessman |
| Awards | Padma Bhushan (1958), Knighted (1945) |
| Military Role | Served in Indian Territorial Army |
| Family | Married to Ratimai Commissariat |
Descendants
Faredoon’s son, Feroze Gandhi, went on to become a prominent MP and journalist, known for his role in exposing corruption during the nascent years of Indian democracy. Feroze married Indira Nehru, which linked the Ghandy–Gandhi families to the Nehru political dynasty.
Personal Life
Rajiv married Sonia Gandhi, an Italian-born Indian political figure, in 1968. The couple had two children:
- Rahul Gandhi (b. 1970): MP for Rae Bareli, Leader of the Opposition as of 2024.
- Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (b. 1972): Active Congress politician, noted for public engagement.
Charitable Initiatives
After his death, two important organisations were founded:
| Trust/Foundation | Founded | Chair | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajiv Gandhi Foundation | 1991 | Sonia | Literacy, health, natural resources |
| Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust | 2002 | Sonia | Education, healthcare, women’s rights |
In 2022, the Foundation’s FCRA license was cancelled due to regulatory concerns.
Wealth and Financial Transparency
There is no confirmed public data on Rajiv Gandhi’s personal wealth. Available figures online are speculative. The Gandhi family controls charitable foundations, but individual net worths are undisclosed and often conflated with institutional resources.
| Individual | Estimated Wealth |
|---|---|
| Rajiv Gandhi | Not publicly available |
| Sonia Gandhi | Undisclosed |
| Rahul & Priyanka Gandhi | No verifiable figures |
| Feroze & Sanjay Gandhi | No current valuations |
| Sir Jehangir F. Ghandy | Historic figure; no records |
Timeline of Major Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1944 | Rajiv Gandhi born in Bombay |
| 1980 | Sanjay Gandhi dies |
| 1981 | Rajiv enters politics via Amethi |
| 1984 | Becomes PM after Indira Gandhi’s assassination |
| 1985–87 | Signs Punjab, Assam, Mizo, and Sri Lanka accords |
| 1989 | Defeated in general elections |
| 1991 | Assassinated during election campaign |
| 1991 | Posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna |
FAQ
What was Rajiv Gandhi known for?
He was known for modernizing India’s telecom, IT, and education sectors, and for initiating early economic reforms.
How old was Rajiv Gandhi when he became PM?
He was 40 years old, making him India’s youngest Prime Minister.
What led to his political downfall?
The Bofors scandal, combined with rising insurgencies and economic pressures, eroded his popularity.
Who killed Rajiv Gandhi?
He was assassinated by a female suicide bomber from the LTTE during the 1991 elections.
Was Rajiv Gandhi wealthy?
There’s no public confirmation of personal wealth; much of the family’s resources are held in trusts.
Who are Rajiv Gandhi’s children?
He had two children: Rahul Gandhi, a leading politician, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, active in Congress.
Who was Faredoon Jehangir Ghandy?
He was Rajiv Gandhi’s great-grandfather, a marine engineer and Padma Bhushan recipient.
What did Rajiv Gandhi do for women?
He supported the 33% reservation for women in local governance through Panchayati Raj reforms.
Which Rajiv Gandhi trusts exist?
The Rajiv Gandhi Foundation and Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, both focused on development and education.
Is Rahul Gandhi currently in politics?
Yes, Rahul Gandhi is Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha as of June 2024.