Rajiv Gandhi, Former Prime Minister of India
Former Prime Minister of India

Rajiv Gandhi

Born 20 August 1944 · Delhi — Died 21 May 1991

Initiated India’s first national computer policy in 1984 to promote technology and software development.

Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was an Indian politician and pilot who served as the prime minister of India from 1984 to 1989 for two terms. He took office after the assassination of his mother, then–prime minister Indira Gandhi, to become the youngest Indian prime minister at the age of 40. He served until his defeat at the 1989 election, and then became Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, resigning in December 1990, six months before his own assassination.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Rajiv Gandhi was a professional pilot for Indian Airlines before reluctantly entering politics following his brother Sanjay Gandhi's death in 1980.

The Story

1
🌟 In 1984, at the age of 40, Rajiv Gandhi became the youngest Prime Minister of India after the assassination of his mother, Indira Gandhi, marking a sudden shift from his career as a commercial pilot to the nation's highest office.
2
In 1988, he ordered the Indian Army's intervention in the Maldives to foil a coup attempt, an operation code-named Cactus, showcasing India's regional influence in the Indian Ocean.
3🌐 Rajiv Gandhi's tenure (1984–1989) saw the largest Lok Sabha majority in Indian history, with Congress winning 414 out of 541 seats in the December 1984 election.
4His leadership faced fierce challenges, including the anti-Sikh riots in Delhi following his mother's assassination and controversies like the Bhopal disaster and the Bofors scandal.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Bharat Ratna

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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Rajiv Gandhi was initially reluctant to enter politics and worked as a commercial pilot for Indian Airlines until 1980, after which he won his brother Sanjay Gandhi's Parliamentary seat of Amethi in 1981.

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Through the Years

6 photographs from the archives
Rajiv Gandhi with Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Sanjay Gandhi in a family photo (1950)
Rajiv Gandhi with Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, and Sanjay Gandhi in a family photo (1950)
1950
Rajiv Gandhi with Jawaharlal Nehru and family aboard INS Delhi during 1950 voyage to Indonesia (1950)
Rajiv Gandhi with Jawaharlal Nehru and family at Teen Murti House (1950)
Rajiv Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru on horseback during a family outing (1950)
Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India, in an official portrait (1987)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Rajiv Gandhi born in Bombay
Rajiv Ratna Gandhi was born on August 20, 1944, in Bombay (now Mumbai) into the Nehru-Gandhi political dynasty.
1944
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Career
Returns to India as pilot
After studying in the UK, Rajiv Gandhi returned to India and became a professional pilot for Indian Airlines.
1966
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Career
Elected MP from Amethi
Rajiv Gandhi won the Amethi parliamentary seat, previously held by his brother Sanjay Gandhi, marking his entry into politics.
1981
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Career
Becomes Prime Minister
Following Indira Gandhi's assassination, Rajiv Gandhi was sworn in as Prime Minister of India at age 40, the youngest ever.
1984
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Career
Leads Operation Cactus in Maldives
Rajiv Gandhi ordered Indian troops to intervene in the Maldives coup attempt, stabilizing the island nation.
1988
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Career
Congress party loses election
Rajiv Gandhi's party lost the 1989 general election after controversies like the Bofors scandal surfaced.
1989
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Death
Assassinated in Tamil Nadu
During an election campaign, Rajiv Gandhi was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber in Sriperumbudur near Chennai.
1991
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

In 1988, Rajiv Gandhi ordered 'Operation Cactus' to send Indian troops to the Maldives to foil a coup, a rare example of India's military intervention to stabilize a neighboring country.

02 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

The Congress party under Rajiv Gandhi won 414 out of 541 Lok Sabha seats in 1984, the largest majority ever secured by a single party in Indian parliamentary history.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Rajiv Gandhi was the first Indian Prime Minister to promote computerization and telecommunications, initiating policies that laid the foundation for India's IT revolution.

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"The power to question is the basis of all human progress."

— Rajiv Gandhi

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
1985 - Then PM Rajiv Gandhi's Independence Day speech | Call for National “Harmony”
·YouTube
More from this archive
1985 - Then PM Rajiv Gandhi's Independence Day speech | Call for National “Harmony”
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1985 - Then PM Rajiv Gandhi's Independence Day speech | Call for National “Harmony”
YouTube
Iconic Speeches, Ft. Rajiv Gandhi
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Iconic Speeches, Ft. Rajiv Gandhi
YouTube
Rajiv Gandhi’s Speech Justifying 1984 Riots
03
Rajiv Gandhi’s Speech Justifying 1984 Riots
YouTube
Rajiv Gandhi | India's youngest PM, third generation PM from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty
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Rajiv Gandhi | India's youngest PM, third generation PM from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty
YouTube
Rajiv Gandhi | Former Prime Minister | राष्ट्रीय आंदोलन और स्वतंत्रता सेनानी...
05
Rajiv Gandhi | Former Prime Minister | राष्ट्रीय आंदोलन और स्वतंत्रता सेनानी...
YouTube
Rajiv Gandhi wishes the new government of India in an interview
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Rajiv Gandhi wishes the new government of India in an interview
YouTube
May 21, 1991: How Was India’s Former PM Rajiv Gandhi Assassinated? | Firstpost Rewind
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May 21, 1991: How Was India’s Former PM Rajiv Gandhi Assassinated? | Firstpost Rewind
YouTube
Rajiv Gandhi: "Lack of awareness about government programs in rural areas is our weakness"
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Rajiv Gandhi: "Lack of awareness about government programs in rural areas is our weakness"
YouTube
Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Sitaram Kesri - Congress Politicians during happier times
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Rajiv Gandhi, PV Narasimha Rao, Sitaram Kesri - Congress Politicians during happier times
YouTube
The Truth About Rajiv Gandhi’s Leadership | Tarlochan Singh
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The Truth About Rajiv Gandhi’s Leadership | Tarlochan Singh
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Rajiv Gandhi introduced significant technological and economic reforms, pushing India towards modernization and stronger ties with the US, especially in telecommunications. His decision to intervene in regional conflicts, such as the Maldives coup and the Sri Lankan civil war, shaped India's foreign policy assertiveness. Additionally, his tragic assassination led to increased security protocols for Indian political leaders and inspired the national observance of Sadbhavana Diwas to promote communal harmony.

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