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Hachette India The Lotus Years: Political Life in India in the Time of Rajiv Gandhi
‘He was their Next Big Hope, after the first one had been dashed to the ground…’ When Rajiv Gandhi became prime minister in 1984 it was for him a baptism of fire. The tumultuous years that followed witnessed the beginnings of economic reform and the stemming of regional insurgency on the one hand, and the drama of the Shah Bano case and the Bofors scandal on the other – events that sent tremors through the country and its political establishment.
As a journalist covering politics from the time of Indira Gandhi’s reign, Ashwini Bhatnagar observed at close quarters the consequences of the transition from iron-handed rule to one of earnest naivety, the calculations of the country’s foremost political players, dramatic election campaigns and the unwieldy workings of dynastic politics.
In The Lotus Years, Ashwini draws from his field notes to weave a remarkable chronicle that brings together the life of a reluctant prime minister, the inner dynamics of his powerful family and the story of a maturing democratic nation, laying bare the intricacies and dissonances of political life in India.
As a journalist covering politics from the time of Indira Gandhi’s reign, Ashwini Bhatnagar observed at close quarters the consequences of the transition from iron-handed rule to one of earnest naivety, the calculations of the country’s foremost political players, dramatic election campaigns and the unwieldy workings of dynastic politics.
In The Lotus Years, Ashwini draws from his field notes to weave a remarkable chronicle that brings together the life of a reluctant prime minister, the inner dynamics of his powerful family and the story of a maturing democratic nation, laying bare the intricacies and dissonances of political life in India.
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Published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 24, 2022
The book written by Ashwini Bhatnagar is not less than an encyclopedia on the life of Rajiv Gandhi. He has narrated his journey quite well and has put in detail the different aspects of his life ranging from childhood, romantic and the most elaborated period is the political aspect of his life.
From this book we get to know that Rajiv never had any inclination to join politics and he was satisfied being a pilot and never gave any serious thought on joining politics. However the sudden death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi changed the dynamics of Indian Politics altogether and he has to come all the way from England to support his grieving mother.
His entry into politics was associated with modernity and he took some important steps which shall make India stand at par with other nations in the world in the field of technology. He had a charming personality and he made even his critics admire him when he made his maiden speech at the White House.
” Mr Clean image” which he gained in starting years of his life corrupted over a period of time and his name was associated with Bofors scam and for protecting rich businessman.
Rajiv was seen as a face of new India but he took wrong steps in many areas which were going to haunt India in the coming years. It was strange that man who was educated with modern principles got trapped in caste , religious identities and a man who had no interest in politics, got so much occupied with protecting his political seat that he choose to do away with his personal beliefs.
The book written by Ashwini makes excellent use of sources and his insightful commentary on different aspects of Rajiv Life makes this book a wonderful reading.
From this book we get to know that Rajiv never had any inclination to join politics and he was satisfied being a pilot and never gave any serious thought on joining politics. However the sudden death of his brother Sanjay Gandhi changed the dynamics of Indian Politics altogether and he has to come all the way from England to support his grieving mother.
His entry into politics was associated with modernity and he took some important steps which shall make India stand at par with other nations in the world in the field of technology. He had a charming personality and he made even his critics admire him when he made his maiden speech at the White House.
” Mr Clean image” which he gained in starting years of his life corrupted over a period of time and his name was associated with Bofors scam and for protecting rich businessman.
Rajiv was seen as a face of new India but he took wrong steps in many areas which were going to haunt India in the coming years. It was strange that man who was educated with modern principles got trapped in caste , religious identities and a man who had no interest in politics, got so much occupied with protecting his political seat that he choose to do away with his personal beliefs.
The book written by Ashwini makes excellent use of sources and his insightful commentary on different aspects of Rajiv Life makes this book a wonderful reading.
December 13, 2020
Great biography about Rajiv Gandhi and his foray into politics with noble intentions but a tragic end.
Interesting to understand political life in those times and the beginning of opposition dominance.
Interesting to understand political life in those times and the beginning of opposition dominance.
July 28, 2024
Unlike his mother and grandfather, Rajiv Gandhi doesn't have many comprehensive biographies. After a long search, I found this book. The cover, featuring a rare photo of Rajivji, immediately caught my eye and compelled me to buy it.
This biography stands out due to the scarcity of detailed works on Rajiv Gandhi. Reading or watching anything about his assassination always brings tears to my eyes; he was a kind man who truly didn't deserve such a cruel fate. This book was no exception; I teared up reading about his final moments.
Although the book rushes through his tenure as Prime Minister, it provides a fairly rich account of his earlier life. I highly recommend this biography to anyone who wants to understand Rajiv Gandhi and his era better.
3.5/5
This biography stands out due to the scarcity of detailed works on Rajiv Gandhi. Reading or watching anything about his assassination always brings tears to my eyes; he was a kind man who truly didn't deserve such a cruel fate. This book was no exception; I teared up reading about his final moments.
Although the book rushes through his tenure as Prime Minister, it provides a fairly rich account of his earlier life. I highly recommend this biography to anyone who wants to understand Rajiv Gandhi and his era better.
3.5/5
January 23, 2025
Rajiv pulled India into the modern age by forcing all of his ministers to learn about and adopt computer technology.
He was a genuine nice guy who reluctantly entered the dirty world of politics.
One of India's best PMs.
He was a genuine nice guy who reluctantly entered the dirty world of politics.
One of India's best PMs.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews