Sonia Gandhi Makes Instagram Debut, Shares First Look of Memoir ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi made her Instagram debut on Thursday, offering readers a first glimpse of her upcoming memoir, ‘Belonging: A Journey of Love’, which traces her personal journey from childhood in Italy to becoming one of India’s most influential political figures.

Sharing a video of herself receiving the first copies of the book, Gandhi described it as a deeply personal account of “love, duty, loss and finding a place to belong.” She also shared the moment with her daughter, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as the two exchanged smiles and sweets to mark the occasion.

“Hello everyone, I'm truly grateful to share this moment with you all,” Gandhi said in her introductory Instagram post, adding that she looked forward to sharing her story with readers. She also pointed out the photographs featured in the book, offering a glimpse into the personal memories behind the memoir.

Published by HarperCollins India, the book is scheduled for release on November 10, following months of uncertainty over its Indian publication. Penguin Random House India, which had initially planned to publish the memoir, withdrew after an impasse with the author's representatives over an issue related to the manuscript. The publisher denied any external pressure but declined to disclose details, citing confidentiality obligations.

The controversy sparked political debate after reports of disagreements over proposed editorial changes, including sections said to concern Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the RSS and China's occupation of Indian territory. Some Congress leaders alleged governmental pressure, while the publisher maintained that its decision was not influenced by external forces.

The memoir begins with Gandhi's childhood in post-war Veneto, Italy, and follows her journey to Cambridge, where she met Rajiv Gandhi in 1965. It recounts their marriage, her introduction to former prime minister Indira Gandhi, and her gradual adjustment to Indian life, including learning Hindi and adapting to the country's customs and cuisine.

It also revisits some of the most painful chapters in the Gandhi family's history, including Sanjay Gandhi's death in a plane crash, Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984 and Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in 1991.

The book further explores the Congress-led alliance's victory in the 2004 general election, when Sonia Gandhi declined the prime minister's post and instead led the party and its governing coalition for the next decade.