NEW DELHI, October 31, 2026 – On the 42nd death anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi shared a deeply personal and emotional tribute to his grandmother, reflecting on the profound spiritual lessons she imparted to him during his childhood.
Alongside former Congress Presidents Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi paid floral tributes at Shakti Sthal and 1, Safdarjung Road, the memorial of India’s first and only female Prime Minister.
Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Rahul shared a touching memory, recalling the time he spent with his grandmother and a powerful Sanskrit mantra she taught him.
He wrote:“Sitting on your lap. Holding both your hands. Listening to your voice say these words. Repeating them after you.asato mā sadgamaya.tamaso mā jyotirgamaya,mṛtyormā amṛtaṃ gamaya,OM Shanti, shanti, Shanti.What a beautiful gift you gave me Dadi. What a gift. I never imagined.”
The mantra, drawn from the ancient Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, translates to a prayer invoking the journey from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. Rahul described the spiritual lesson as an invaluable gift that has stayed with him throughout his life.
Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also paid her respects, sharing a nostalgic childhood photograph with her grandmother.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge hailed the late Prime Minister as a “symbol of indomitable courage, unwavering resolve and visionary leadership.” Senior leaders noted that her contributions—ranging from the Green Revolution and banking accessibility to the expansion of India’s space and nuclear programs—remain a critical pillar of the nation’s post-independence history.
Indira Gandhi, born on November 19, 1917, served as Prime Minister from 1966 to 1977 and again from 1980 until October 31, 1984, when she was tragically assassinated by her bodyguards at her New Delhi residence. Her death anniversary is observed annually by the Congress party to commemorate her vast political legacy.
Published by True Roots Media Network