Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has offered a glimpse into her personal life through excerpts from her upcoming memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love. The recollections describe how she gradually adapted to Indian food, family traditions and cultural life after moving from Italy to India.
Among the most striking details is her first experience of tandoori chicken with her late husband, Rajiv Gandhi. The memoir recalls the dish as bright red and slightly charred, with its intense spices leaving a strong impression on her.
What initially felt unfamiliar eventually became part of her daily routine, including traditional Indian meals served with rice, phulkas, vegetables and meat. One staple, in particular, became a constant presence at the family table: arhar dal.
The memoir is scheduled to be released on November 10, 2026, and promises to offer readers a more personal perspective on Sonia Gandhi beyond her decades in public life.
Tandoori Chicken Marked an Early Encounter With Indian Cuisine
Sonia Gandhi’s early experiences with Indian food form part of the memoir’s account of her transition from life in Europe to settling in India.
Tandoori chicken was among the first Indian dishes she tried with Rajiv Gandhi. Its vivid colour, smoky flavour and spicy preparation made the experience memorable.
As she became more familiar with Indian cuisine, family meals introduced her to a broader range of dishes. Traditional thalis brought together rice, phulkas, vegetables and meat, including mutton, fish or chicken.
Over time, these meals became an integral part of her everyday life, reflecting how food helped her adjust to a new culture and build a sense of belonging.
Arhar Dal Became a Daily Essential
One of the most relatable details in the memoir is the regular presence of arhar dal, also known as toor dal or pigeon pea lentils.
The recollection highlights how a simple home-cooked dish became part of Sonia Gandhi’s daily routine. Unlike elaborate celebratory meals, dal is a familiar staple in many Indian households, often served with rice or roti.
The detail also reflects a broader theme in the memoir: the gradual transformation of unfamiliar customs into everyday habits. Through family meals and shared traditions, Sonia Gandhi developed a closer connection with Indian life.
Her memories of food offer an intimate look at the personal experiences behind that cultural transition.
The Sari and Other Memories of Settling in India
The memoir also revisits Sonia Gandhi’s early relationship with the Indian sari, a garment she admired for its elegance before learning to wear it herself.
For her engagement, she selected a sari in jade green and pale yellow. Keeping the drape in place proved challenging, and several safety pins were needed to secure it.
Her wedding sari carried a special historical connection. The yarn used to weave it had been spun by Jawaharlal Nehru while he was imprisoned during India’s freedom struggle.
These details illustrate how clothing, family traditions and everyday experiences became meaningful parts of her life in India.
Memoir Explores Love, Family and Political Life
Titled Belonging: A Journey of Love, the book traces Sonia Gandhi’s journey from her childhood in Italy to her marriage to Rajiv Gandhi and her eventual emergence as one of the Congress party’s most influential leaders.
The memoir revisits personal tragedies that shaped her life, including the assassinations of her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, in 1984 and her husband, Rajiv Gandhi, in 1991.
It also explores her eventual entry into politics, her leadership of the Congress and her decision not to become prime minister after the Congress-led alliance won the 2004 general election.
The book seeks to connect these major public events with the private experiences, relationships and losses that influenced her decisions.
Rahul Gandhi Expresses Pride in His Mother’s Story
Rahul Gandhi has welcomed his mother’s decision to share her experiences with readers, describing the memoir as a deeply personal undertaking for someone who has generally maintained a private life.
His response coincided with the birth anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, adding an emotional dimension to the book’s forthcoming release.
With its accounts of family meals, traditional clothing, love and loss, Belonging: A Journey of Love presents a perspective on Sonia Gandhi that extends beyond political milestones.
The memory of her first taste of tandoori chicken and her eventual fondness for everyday arhar dal captures the memoir’s central theme: how ordinary experiences can gradually create a lasting sense of home.
