Rajiv Gandhi Age, Height, Family, Career, Net Worth, Lifestyle & Facts

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full Name: Rajiv Ratna Gandhi

Profession: Indian Politician

Date of Birth: 20 August 1944

Age (as on 21 May 1991): 46 Years

Birthplace: Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India

Zodiac sign: Leo

Nationality: Indian

Hometown: Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India

Religion: Hinduism

Caste: Brahmin

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EDUCATION

School: Shiv Niketan school Welham Boys’ School, Dehradun The Doon School, Dehradun

College: Trinity College, Cambridge Imperial College, London Delhi Flying Club, New Delhi

Educational Qualifications: Trained Pilot

PHYSICAL STATISTICS

Height (approx.): in centimeters- 178 cm in meters- 1.78 m in Feet Inches- 5’ 10”

Weight (approx.): in Kilograms- 72 kg in Pounds- 159 lbs

Eye Colour: Black

Hair Colour: Black

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS

Family: Father – Late Feroze Gandhi (Former Indian Politician) Mother – Late Indira Gandhi (Former Indian Politician) Brother – Late Sanjay Gandhi (Former Indian Politician & trained Pilot) Sister – N/A

Marital Status: Married when died

Affairs/Girlfriends: Not Known

Wife: Sonia Gandhi (m. 1968-1991)

Children: Son – Rahul Gandhi (Indian Politician) Daughter – Priyanka Gandhi (Indian Politician)

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Debut: He joined the Indian National Congress in 1980, after his brother’s death and, became an MP from Amethi the very next year.

OTHER INFORMATION

Political Party: Indian National Congress

Political Journey: • Upon the command of his mother Indira Gandhi , he reluctantly stepped into politics in 1980 after his brother Sanjay’s death. • Following year, he contested from his late brother’s constituency, Amethi, and tasted the victory. • To advance his political knowledge, he was made the general secretary of INC in 1982. He was also given the responsibility to organise 1982 Asian Games. • After the assassination of his mother, he was named the Prime Minister of India.

Place of Birth: Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India

Date of Death: 21 May 1991

Place of Death: Sriperumbudur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Cause of Birth: Assassination

Hobbies: Cycling

Blood Group: O-negative [1] India Today

INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Rajiv Gandhi, born into one of India’s most influential political families, displayed a creative inclination during his early years. His teachers at Shiv Niketan School observed his shy demeanor and passion for painting and drawing, traits that would remain a part of his personality throughout his life. In pursuit of higher education, Rajiv received an offer from Trinity College in London to study Engineering. Although he embarked on this journey in 1966, he did not complete his degree, as fate would soon draw him back to India. His return coincided with his mother, Indira Gandhi, becoming Prime Minister. In India, Rajiv embraced his love for aviation by joining the Delhi Flying Club, eventually becoming a trained pilot. By 1970, his skills were recognized when Air India absorbed him as a pilot, marking the beginning of a career that would take unexpected turns.

Despite his impressive lineage, Rajiv Gandhi initially shunned the political arena, preferring the skies over the complexities of governance. However, the tragic death of his brother Sanjay in an aircraft crash in 1980 forced him to reconsider his stance. Indira Gandhi urged him to step into the political spotlight, leading Rajiv to contest the general elections in his late brother’s constituency, Amethi, where he secured victory and became a member of the Lok Sabha. His political journey quickly escalated; in 1981, he was elected president of the Indian Youth Congress, and by 1982, he took on the role of general secretary of the party. His responsibilities included organizing the Asian Games, which served as a platform for him to learn the intricacies of political life.

Rajiv’s ascent to the Prime Minister’s office came on a harrowing day in 1984 when his mother was assassinated by her own bodyguards following the controversial Operation Blue Star. His assumption of leadership occurred amid national turmoil, including widespread Anti-Sikh riots. Amid this chaos, he made the controversial remark, “When a tree falls, it is the Earth around that shakes,” attempting to contextualize the violence that ensued. Among his first acts as Prime Minister was the passage of an Anti-defection law aimed at stabilizing political factions. Although his 1984 election manifesto did not overtly delineate an economic policy, Rajiv embarked on efforts to liberalize India’s economy, offering incentives for private production and subsidies for corporate companies, which drew criticism from within his party as being too favorable to the affluent.

Throughout his tenure, Rajiv made significant strides in modernizing India. The establishment of public sector telecom companies like MTNL and VSNL during his administration marked a critical shift, making telecommunication services accessible to the masses rather than a privilege for the wealthy. Rajiv also laid the groundwork for India’s Information Technology revolution, ushering in an era of technological advancement. In 1988, he initiated Operation Black Thunder to restore peace in Punjab by clearing the Golden Temple of arms and extremists. His leadership, however, was not without dangers; in 1987, a near-fatal assassination attempt on him underscored the perils he faced due to his policies and decisions.

Rajiv Gandhi’s life was tragically cut short on May 21, 1991, when he was assassinated while campaigning near Chennai. A woman, later identified as Thenmozhi Rajaratnam, approached him and detonated explosives concealed in a belt, taking his life and shocking the nation. In the aftermath, the Indian government posthumously awarded him the Bharat Ratna, the country’s highest civilian honor. His legacy continued to be celebrated; in 2009, he was recognized as the “Revolutionary Leader of Modern India.” To honor his memory, the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial was established in Sriperumbudur, where he met his untimely end, serving as a poignant reminder of a leader whose vision for India remains influential to this day.

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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.