(This article has been re-contextualised and reposted from The Quint’s archives in view of Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary. It was originally published on 20 May 2018.)

The country remembers him as Indira Gandhi’s son, who was thrown into politics under unfortunate circumstances. Or as Independent India’s sixth prime minister whose term was mired in controversies.

But to his family of four, Rajiv Gandhi remained a soft-spoken, caring family man.

Let us take a look at the man in the words of his wife Sonia Gandhi, and daughter Priyanka Gandhi.