Sonia was born on December 9, 1946 in a middle class family of Italy. Stefano Maino was her father and Paula Maino was the name of her mother. Sonia had two sibling sisters and she was the second one. The elder sister was called Anushka Maino and Nadia Maino the younger one.
Stefano Maino was one of the supporters of erstwhile Italian fascist dictator Mussolini of World War II period. Mussolini was an ally of German dictator Adolf Hitler. When the combined forces of USA, Britain and France invaded Italy the army of the fascist Mussolini got routed. Being a supporter of the vanquished and murdered fascist dictator, a big price Stefano Maino too paid. He lost his money and properties when anti-fascist groups took vendetta. A time came when Maino family faced severe hardships. The world war had caused grave damage to Italy. With considerable patience and smart thinking he began to rebuild his life. Reconstruction was the immediate need of the country ravaged by war. So Stefano worked as a contractor in building construction work. His hardwork and clever business sense paid. He prospered in construction work and his financial position improved. Then, there was no looking back. From the very childhood Sonia had been a person of reserved nature. Although she liked to prance around the house and play hide-n-seek etc yet squealing, laughing aloud and messing up home were not her habits.
Her primary education took place in a convent school of Gevaino town 24 kms off her native village called Orbassano. The full name of the school was ‘Convent of Maria Estiliatris’. A sister of the school, Domentia revealed to a journalist about Sonia Maino in an interview—’When Sonia was a student here, then I used to work as an assistant here. I remember well that Sonia was good in studies but not extraordinarily talented. But she did stay in front batch.” In her girlish years Sonia was a shy and diffident person. Whenever the school organised programmes for the parents and guardians of the students Sonia rarely came forward to perform due to her shy nature. After education Sonia wanted to become a teacher, perhaps to serve in her village as there was no educational facility there. Her aim was village education and social awareness plus service. It shows Sonia from the early years had the desire to work for social upliftment of masses.
During World War II her father Stefano Maino had stayed in Russia where he fought on the side of Germans as their ally. During action some Russian Women had helpfully given him refuge. Those women had greatly impressed him. Later, he named his three daughters after the names of those women he was obliged to. The father Stefano wanted his second daughter Sonia to learn Russian. In many ways he tried to motivate her into learning that alien language. He even went to the extent of procuring an Italian-Russian dictionary for Sonia to inspire her.
Stefano gave great importance to discipline and the family traditions of honour plus prestige. He had build and rebuild his career with hard toil and struggle. He would not mind doing any labour work if needed. For the upkeep of his family he had worked in coal mines and raised potato crops in fields without any grumble or distaste. The example of her father made Sonia too a courageous, patient, hard working and self dependent character.
Sonia’s mother Paula Maino was an organised and dedicated housewife. She herself did all the household chores and took care of the daughters. She also influenced the character of Sonia and those qualities showed up when the latter herself became a mother and a wife besides the daughter-in-law of an illustrious character, Indira Gandhi of India. Sometimes Stefano appeared to be a bit harsh on the children. He used to rebuke the girls. Sonia would be careful about it and rarely did something her father had forbidden. When she defaulted she would run to her mother to seek refuge in her lap and confess her guilt tearfully.
Paula used to comfort her daughter with consoling words and protect her from the rebuke of the father. In childhood Sonia did like to play with her friends but did not indulge in tall talk or venture too far away from her home. Amongst strangers Sonia used to feel uneasy and insecure. Hence, most of the time Sonia preferred to hang around the familiar faces and did not stray away. Whenever she played outdoor with her friends the disciplinary cautions of her father ever she bore in her mind.
There, living happy and secure in family environment Sonia progressed towards teenages then a young girlhood.
A lovely meeting
When Sonia Maino entered teenages she began to see sweet dreams about her future like any other girl. Whenever the family talked about sending Sonia abroad for education she would get excited. Her heart would start pounding. Then she would become fearful at the very thought of living among total strangers, away from the parents, sisters and family security. The prospect was daunting.
For Sonia it presented a dilemma. The idea of going abroad for education was rosy but leaving the security of the family and getting used to strangers were like thorns. But the dreamy youthful spirit won and Sonia accepted to do it. Infact, by now the construction business of Stefano was doing good business and he wanted Sonia to learn Spanish, French and English to assist in the family venture. He sent her to Cambridge, England. It was the first chance for Sonia to live in a foreign land away from the family. She lived with an English family in a rented room. The family took good care of her. But it was all formality and business nicety. There was little warmth of affinity. It infused seriousness in the nature of Sonia.
About the same time Rajiv Gandhi had also gone to the Cambridge from India for higher education. He was the grandson of India’s great statesman of world fame and the illustrious Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru and the son of Indira Gandhi, another famous name of the same time.
Rajiv was born on August 20, 1944 in Mumbai. Then his father Feroz Gandhi and mother Indira Gandhi used to live in Mumbai. After the birth of Rajiv, two years later on December 14, 1946 his younger brother Sanjay was born.
When India gained freedom in 1947 Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister of India. Indira Gandhi then shifted to New Delhi with her sons and began to live with her father at Teen Murti House, the PM’s residence. Meanwhile, Feroz Gandhi had shifted to Lucknow and was doing duty as the Managing Editor of ‘National Herald’ published from there.
In 1952 Feroz Gandhi won Raebareli Lok Sabha seat and came to New Delhi as member of the parliament. But Indira continued to live at Teen Murti with her children. The children were enrolled in ‘Martia Elizabeth Gaba Kinder Garten’ situated on Haily Road for elementary education. Now the school has changed its name to ‘Shiv Niketan’. The boys received further school education in ‘St. Columbus’. 12 year old Rajiv was sent to ‘Doon School’ of Dehradun. In 1960 Rajiv passed Senior Cambridge examination. Two years later he was sent to London for higher education. Rajiv learnt mechanical engineering first in ‘Imperial College’ and then ‘Trinity College’ of Cambridge.
During his Cambridge days Rajiv Gandhi ran into Sonia Maino of Italy.
One evening Rajiv had gone to a Greek restaurant of Cambridge campus with his mates. As soon as he stepped into the swank hall of restaurant ‘Vericity’ he spotted a girl who happened to be an Italian sitting at a table. She was alone. Rajiv looked at her unblinkingly feeling strangely charmed. That Italian girl happened to be Sonia Maino. It was love at first sight. Rajiv asked Charles Antony, the Greek owner of the restaurant to make such an arrangement that he may be close to that beauty.
Antony joked that it would cost him heavy fee. Rajiv agreed to pay the price. Charles Antony sportingly reseated the guests on some pretext, did some juggling with tables and chairs to get Rajiv close to Sonia. Thus their first introduction and meeting took place. It later blossomed into deep love of true kind. Soon a stage came when Rajiv and Sonia could not live without seeing each other. Their love meetings became more and more frequent. The two often went out together on picnics, sight seeing, strolling, eating together or going to theatre or movie. They were coming closer and dividing line was vanishing. Rajiv had informed his mother Indira Gandhi about his romance with Sonia and thickening of their relationship.
Then, Indira Gandhi was minister of Information and Broadcasting in Lal Bahadur Shastri’s cabinet. In 1965 Indira Gandhi went to London on an official visit. She was to inaugurate an exhibition in memory of her father, late Jawaharlal Nehru. This was the visit when Indiraji decided to meet Rajiv and his love Sonia Maino. She informed his son about her desire. After the inauguration Indira Gandhi went to Indian Embassy where she was scheduled to meet Sonia Maino.
Rajiv had told Sonia about his mother, her status as politician and cabinet minister. She was scared at the prospect of facing a big political person. Rajiv tried to put her at ease but still she was very reluctant. When Sonia and Rajiv reached Indian Embassy they found Indira Gandhi waiting for them.
Sonia greeted her with folded hands and in response Indiraji got up from the sofa she was sitting on. The Italian girl bent down to touch the feet of her lover’s mother in Indian style.
This emotionally moved Indiraji and she endearingly embraced Sonia to her bosom patting her back. That gladdened Sonia. Her heart beat faster. Indiraji grabbed Sonia’s arm and got her beseated on the sofa beside her saying, “Here…sit close to me.”
Sonia obeyed.
Rajiv sat on another sofa facing them.
The conversation began. Rajiv had told his mother that Sonia knew French quite well. So, Indiraji decided to converse with Sonia in French.
To all the queries of Indiraji, Sonia responded with brief and measured answers. Indiraji realised that Sonia was still feeling shy and acted diffident. To drive away her doubts and misgivings Indiraji said, “Sonia! I am a mother.There is no need for you to feel apprehensive. I know well what it is to fall in love beyond the boundaries of religion and community. I can understand your feelings. You need not worry about anything.”
To a great extent those words put Sonia at ease. The penetrative eyes of Indiraji saw that the love between Rajiv and Sonia was not a shallow affair but a truly deep and serious one.
Sonia stayed with Indiraji till the evening talking more and trying to know each other. After the evening Rajiv and Sonia had to attend a party. As the two were preparing to leave Indiraji noticed that the dress of Sonia had torn seamline at the edge.
She, at once asked for a needle and thread. When provided Indiraji herself repaired the edge. It was a great surprise for Sonia. She could not believe that the daughter of India’s late Prime Minister of the stature of Nehru and a serving cabinet minister could engage in such a simple feminine way. But she had to believe what her eyes saw. She mentally bowed to the simplicity, grace and greatness of Indiraji.
Rajiv and Sonia went to the party and Indira Gandhi returned to India, next day.
A few days later, Indira Gandhi received a letter from Rajiv in which there was a mention of Sonia, ‘I see a big change in Sonia after meeting you. With some difficulty she had summoned courage to meet you but now all her fears and diffidence are gone. In you she saw her own mother. She is amazed at seeing greatness and simplicity together in you’.
Sonia’s simple, shy and graceful nature had easily made a niche in the heart of Indiraji. That is why Indiraji had become serious about Sonia after meeting her.
For 1966 summer vacation all the students were heading home. So had Rajiv and Sonia to do. But they were very sad about their separation. Being together was all they wanted. The two had come so close to each other that the very thought of separation was painful and their hearts wept.
At last with heavy hearts the two took leave of each other. Their sadness was made more profound by the fact that they had completed their courses and they won’t be returning to Cambridge.
From romance to wedlock
Sonia Maino was much loved daughter of parents. She used to keep her parents informed of all the developments of her life. She especially confided everything to her mother. Paula had been told about the entry of an Indian boy called Rajiv into her life. The mother at once realised it was not just chance meeting between the two but it smelled like a serious romantic affair. When Paula told her husband about it he became thoughtful.
Stefano thought it was just temporary attraction between a girl and a boy. The distance will wear it down soon. He even refused to accept it as a love affair. Secondly he was very reluctant to give his daugher permission to marry a youngman belonging to a far off alien land. He had refused to do so in clear words.
From behind a curtain Sonia was listening to every word exchanged between her parents. It came to her as a shock when her father refused to allow her marriage with Rajiv Gandhi. She became despondent. Sonia was brought up in protected environment which made her a diffident girl. She could say nothing against her father’s refusal.
Although normally European girls were bold and independent minded yet Sonia appeared to be just the opposite as if she were brought up in Indian tradition. She did not look a western gal but a product of the traditional old Roman and Indian culture and habits.
The distance between Rajiv and Sonia did not weaken their love. Instead it grew stronger and fiercer. The prediction of Stefano Maino that the time and distance would naturally make their attraction taper off proved wrong. There was no day when Sonia did not think of Rajiv and same was the case with latter.
Rajiv and Sonia had not seen each other for six months now. Sonia was studying further in her home country Italy. Meanwhile Rajiv had joined Safdarjung Flying Club at New Delhi. He duly got pilot licence. When young Rajiv could not bear with the separation from Sonia, he flew to Italy in November, 1966 on a sudden impulse.
Rajiv met Sonia’s father Stefano and revealed his undying love for his daugher in clear words.
Stefano was pleased with the frankness of Rajiv. The personality and self confidence of the young suitor too impressed him. But he was still not sure that his daughter would be happy in an alien land and culture. He was yet to be convinced of the genuineness of their love. For him it was merely youthful attraction.
Stefano under that impression told Rajiv if their love was indeed true they must live in separation for one more year to prove it. It would also show the depth of their love. If even after that their love stayed firm and both wanted to get married he would allow.
Rajiv Gandhi assured Stefano that not just one year but for any number of years his love for Sonia will not wane in any way.
Sonia Maino had similar thoughts. Both accepted the condition of Stefano. Although one year was an age for true lovers yet there was no other way than accept the challenge. The die was cast.
Meanwhile, in Indian politics a lot had happened. Prime minister Lal Bahadur Shastri who gave the slogan of ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’ to the people had passed away. To fill the vacuum left by his demise, on January 24, 1966 Indira Gandhi was given the oath of the prime minister’s office. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi became very busy in politics yet she did not derelict her family responsibilities.
She kept in mind the matters of the heart of Rajiv Gandhi. She knew well that the step taken by Rajiv in love was a sincere affair which had been given serious thought. She decided to reciprocate by being helpful in getting the love of Rajiv-Sonia to fructify in formal marital bliss. Her attitude boosted the morale of Rajiv manifold.
Rajiv stayed on course guided by the love of Sonia and supportive signals from his mother. He succeeded in negotiating the year alloted by Stefano without losing his way.
December 9, 1967 was Sonia Maino’s 22nd birthday. The family had prepared for a grand party. All local friends and the girls had come together. But restless was Sonia’s heart. Her dearest one was not there to share her joy. What an irony! One year of separation Stefano had prescribed was over. The condition had been met yet her father was silent over her marriage with Rajiv. It was sad.
She was not happy on that happy occasion.
Maino couple understood the feelings of their daughter. Then, Stefano walked upto Sonia and beamed declaring ‘Baby Sonia! I have a surprise gift for you.”
Sonia stared at him. She could see no gift.
“The surprise gift is that now you can marry Rajiv.”
Suddenly the face of Sonia Maino lit up like a bulb. Her eyes suddenly began to sparkle with stars in her eyes. Then tears screened the stars.
Entire family, friends and relatives cheered up Sonia. Everyone felt happy for her. Thus, that birthday proved the happiest day of Sonia’s life.
In India, when Rajiv Gandhi learnt that Stefano was aggreeable to his marriage with Sonia his joy knew no bounds. He ran to his mother to deliver the good news. It pleased her. She heaved a sigh of relief. Indiraji had immensely liked that Italian girl when she had met her in London and thought that she was fit to be her daughter-in-law in every way. Indiraji wrote a letter to the father of Sonia expressing her consent to the marriage of Rajiv and Sonia. Maino family was invited to India to get the marriage of Rajiv-Sonia conducted according to the Indian traditions.
Indiraji revealed the Rajiv-Sonia love affair and their scheduled marriage to her aunt, Vijay Laxmi Pandit.
“Aunt, I want to break a news to you,” Indiraji told her and warned, “It might stun you.”
Mrs. Pandit thought for a while and then spoke with seriousness, “Indira! We are all humans. We are supposed to be ever ready for all kinds of shocks and surprises. Tell me whatever it is. Don’t worry.”
“Aunt! It is infact a good news,” Indiraji said with some element of mystery, “Infact, Rajiv has decided to marry an Italian girl. He had met her in London.”
“What is stunning about it?” Mrs. Pandit spoke happily. “It’s indeed happy news. But yes, it may disappoint a lot of beautiful Indian girls.”
Thus Rajiv Gandhi got the consent of all the near and dear ones for his alliance with Sonia Maino. Stefano had already been written to about the consent of the family of the groom.
Indira Gandhi’s letter had delighted Stefano Maino. His daughter was going into the family of a Prime Minister of a big country. In some corner of his heart he still was sad as his child was going so far away to live there forever. He worried how his daughter would adjust herself in an alien culture she was not familiar with. The failure to adjust could become a traumatic experience. But true love of Rajiv Gandhi and the letter from Indira Gandhi provided consolation to him. His daughter may find happiness in true love.
At last Stefano asked his daughter Sonia to go to India and marry Rajiv Gandhi, her beau forever. Hence, on January 13, 1968 Sonia along with her mother Paula Maino and close relatives landed in India. At Palam airport of New Delhi, Rajiv Gandhi, his younger brother Sanjay and childhood pal Amitabh Bachchan were present to receive the Italian bride party. Sonia and her family members were warmly welcomed by the young hearts club of the groom, Rajiv Gandhi. It surely touched the heart of Sonia.
As pre-arranged the Italian party was led to the residence of Harivanshrai Bachchan, the father of Amitabh Bachchan who was a member of the parliament and a close family friend of Indira Gandhi. The wife of the poet Bachchan, Teji Bachchan was a personal friend and a confidant of Indiraji. The Italian party was royally hosted by Bachchans. Accepting Sonia Maino as her adopted daughter, Teji Bachchan said, “Sonia! From this day you are my daughter. My son Amitabh is an actor and Rajiv is his childhood friend. I treat Rajiv as my own son. Till the marriage ceremony you will live here with me. From my home my daughter will go to her marital home.”
It touched Sonia and her family members were also impressed with Teji’s generosity.
On February 25, 1968 the prime minister’s residence at Safdarjung Road was decorated like a
X-mas tree. There was lot of excitement and flurried activities. And why not? It was the day when the elder son of the country’s Prime Minister was getting married.
The decorations apart the actual ceremony was going to be simple affair. For the occasion Rajiv Gandhi had doned silk achkan of cream colour and a churidar pyjama pair. On his head he sported a pink scarf worn like a bandana.
The bride, Sonia on the other hand had put on a pink saree made of the cotton yarn spun by Jawaharlal Nehru when he was in jail for fighting for his country’s independence. Her wrists adorned jasmine rosaries. The fingers of her feet wore bichhwas, ornamental pieces of Kashmiri pandit tradition.
On this happy occasion 50 most important persons of the family circle had been invited. The maternal aunt of Rajiv, Mrs. Zehmina was also in Delhi. She had brought a grand cake baked by her own hands. Also present were Vijay Laxmi Pandit, the aunt of Indira Gandhi, her daughters and Professor K.N. Kaul, the maternal uncle of Indira Gandhi besides others.
Bachchans completed all the customary and the traditional formalities and duties demanded of the bride’s side. Sonia’s maternal uncle Mario Preedben performed Kanyadaan (giving away daughter) ritual. Sonia’s father could not come to India because of some pressing reason.
In the marriage ceremony Indira Gandhi was so happy that she acted like a normal excited Indian mother throwing away the airs of prime ministership. In her exuberance she had applied henna (mehandi) to her hands also and closely examined henna decorated hands of Sonia making some mirthful comments.
Indiraji had a vast circle of clan members, friends, acquaintances, followers and admirers. They could not all be invited. A dinner had been organised at Hyderabad House to oblige as many guests as was possible. There were 200 of them. The guests were served simple Kashmiri cuisine as Indiraji oversaw serving exercise. Now Sonia Maino shifted to
1, Safdarjung Road, the prime minister’s official residence as her daughter-in-law, Sonia Gandhi.
Next day, Indiraji gave a reception party for the newly married couple in which 1000 political and high status personalities were the invitees who blessed the couple.
After all the marriage ceremonies and customs were over the family members of Sonia returned to their country leaving her in the care of Indiraji and Rajiv Gandhi.
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