Sonia Gandhi
It was through the private world of family that the public world of politics came alive for me: living in intimate proximity with people for whom larger questions of ideology and belief, as well as issues relating to politics and governance, were vivid daily realities.Collection: Politics
When you are in politics, and you are a genuine person who genuinely cares, then everything comes second.Collection: Politics
Women empowerment is, after all, a dream, a vision of Rajivji. It is a genuine vision. We now have so many women in Panchayats.Collection: Women
There was a Greek restaurant, the only place we could get Italian food. All of us Italians and many others from other parts of Europe used to go there, and Rajiv and his friends also. Some of his group knew some of my group, and we met just like that.Collection: Food
This great country, this India, is woven of the rich individual strands of our regions, languages, religions, traditions, and communities through the ages. Yet its vibrant beauty can be seen only as a whole, a single seamless fabric, much greater than the sum of all the strands.Collection: Beauty
I believe in a balanced government. I don't believe in minimum or maximum. Balance is always the best way.Collection: Government
Growth is essential and must be sustained. But rapid growth alone cannot address the problems arising out of continuing disparities. Tackling these is not just a matter of social justice but, more importantly, an existential necessity and a moral imperative.Collection: Alone
Together we can face any challenges as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky.
I am aware that people at large are constantly angry with the Congress because they feel we are shouting. We are making noise, but there is a very serious reason for it. Parliamentary rules are not being followed.
My upbringing is such that I feel my husband is superior to me and his mother even more superior.
At the organisational level, our party has to really develop a new style of connecting with the people. We have to also look at the way we project our programmes, our policies.
An economy growing at 7 percent per year, can and must find the resources to improve the lives of its millions of poor.
Both my mother-in-law and Rajiv made it easy for me. I feel very Indian and am not conscious of being an Italian in India.
My aim has always been to defend the secular foundation of our nation and the poor of our country - the creed sacred to Indiraji and Rajivji.
My father sort of relented. He saw Rajiv, and he said he is a good man. But his more worried about his daughter, because I was going far to a place completely different... with completely different customs. He felt that perhaps I would not be able to accustom to these new ways.
Whenever there is something revolutionary and new, there is opposition. There are difficulties in all parties, perhaps in my party, too.
I don't like being in the limelight. It is not something extraordinary. It is just my habit.
As probably is known, I did not want my husband to join politics. He was not keen to join politics. He was very happy as a pilot.
In every sort of politics, in history, it has its own problems, its leaders, its own opposition.
In politics, you win and you lose. You come up in power, you go down; it's part of life.
We were, in a way, out-marketed because we couldn't really compete with the BJP that went into elections under Mr Modi.
Power in itself has never attracted me, nor has position been my goal.
The Congress has faced many difficult times in the past, much tougher than today. But we have never lost heart; we have repeatedly demonstrated our resilience by remaining committed to our vision, values, and the beliefs that have always sustained us.
My husband's duty is to the country, and mine is to the family.
My husband spends the whole day in politics. I make it a point not to discuss politics with him when he comes home.
We have been the one who all along have been saying that a dialogue must be initiated with Pakistan.
The future of each of us is inter-connected and all of us should work together by following the path laid down by former leaders of the party for the development of the country and its brighter future.Collection: Country
Congress is responsible for every major change in IndiaCollection: India
I am an Indian. In fact, I feel like a foreigner when I go abroad.Collection: Motivational
Returning to power in northern India is very important for the Congress party. No magic wand will work. We have to make our efforts. It will be a long and difficult struggle for us.Collection: Party
The biggest challenge at the national level is to defeat communal forces for which the support of the Left parties was essential but the party is opposed to the Left in Kerala because UDF's aim is to ensure economic development and social harmony.Collection: Party
During Congress rule terrorism was countered effectively and firmly, whereas during the BJP regime terrorists were treated like guests and released in their own country.Collection: Country
To be equitable, economic growth has to be sustainable. To be sustainable, economic growth has in turn to be all-inclusive. All-inclusive is no longer the greatest good of the greatest number. It is actually 'Sarvodaya' or the 'rise of all'. This Mahatma Gandhi saw as essential to Satyagraha itself.Collection: Numbers
My complaint with Dr Singh is that he sometimes does not highlight his achievements enough.Collection: Achievement
The lifestyle of many of our colleagues has been very pompous. They conduct weddings and birthdays in such an ostentatious manner that it pains me a lot. It appears that they are making fun of our commitment to the poor.Collection: Fun
I suppose, mother-in-laws are frightening figures. Especially, more so for mother-in-laws to be.Collection: Mother
I am resigning my post in the parliament. I have done this because I think it is the right thing to do.Collection: Thinking
The Maharashtra government is working out a package for the worst-affected villages of the state in the recent floods. But we know whenever such calamities occur; whatever we do is not enough...more has to be done.Collection: Government
I have issued instructions that while handling the situation in Upper Assam innocent civilians should not be harassed.Collection: Innocent