‘Love grows into responsibility’: Sonia Gandhi’s memoir offers a glimpse into life with the Nehru-Gandhi family | Today’s news
A month after announcing the publication of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, HarperCollins India has shared excerpts from the book ahead of its November 10 release.
The publisher’s social media post on Friday offers a glimpse into how Sonia Gandhi made India her home after marrying former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi and becoming part of the politically influential Nehru-Gandhi family.
The excerpts focus on food and family meals as some of the experiences through which she gradually became familiar with the new environment. They describe how everyday Indian food became a part of her life after she moved from Italy to India.
From tandoori chicken to arhar dal: Sonia Gandhi’s first experiences with food
One of the excerpts mentions tandoori chicken as one of the first Indian dishes Sonia Gandhi tried with Rajiv Gandhi. The book describes the dish as “bright red, slightly burnt and set the mouth on fire”.
It also offers a glimpse of the meals she later shared with her Indian family. Originally from Italy, Sonia Gandhi was introduced to the typical North Indian spread that included rice, phulkas, vegetables and meat dishes served on thalis.
From tandoori chicken to arhar dal: Sonia Gandhi’s first experiences with food(X/@HarperCollinsIN)
“In time, she started enjoying meals with her family: rice, phulkas, a vegetable dish and mutton, fish or chicken served on thalis. And arhar dal, every day,” the excerpt said.
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir explores the idea of belonging
The excerpts use food as a way to illustrate how familiar routines and experiences helped Sonia Gandhi adjust to life in India.
“How does the earth become a part of you? It happens slowly as things that were previously unknown become part of everyday life,” reads one of the excerpts.
In another social media post accompanying the excerpts, HarperCollins India described the themes of the book through the relationship between family, personal experiences and public life.
“The unknown becomes known. The known becomes loved. Love grows into responsibility. And that is belonging,” the post read.
“Moving between love and loss, family and power, private life and public duty, Belonging is @SoniaGandhi’s account of an extraordinary life – and a changing India. Belonging is out on November 10, 2026,” HarperCollins India added.
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir explores the idea of belonging(X/@HarperCollinsIN)
When will Sonia Gandhi’s memoirs be published?
Sonia Gandhi’s memoir titled Belonging: A Journey of Love is scheduled to be published by HarperCollins India on November 10, 2026.
Excerpts shared by the publisher offer insight into her early experiences in India, her relationship with food and the family life she shared with Rajiv Gandhi and other members of the Nehru-Gandhi family.
