MANEKA GANDHI
SANJAY GANDHI
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On August 26, 1956, Maneka Anand was born in Delhi into the family of Lt. Col. Tarlochan Singh, an officer in the Indian Army. She pursued her studies at Lady Shri Ram College for Women in Delhi.
In 1973, at a cocktail party hosted by her uncle, Major General Kapur, Maneka met the dynamic and charismatic Sanjay Gandhi, the younger son of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Maneka and Sanjay were married on September 23, 1974. Their son, Varun, was born in 1980. Tragically, Sanjay died in a plane crash when Varun was just 100 days old.
Sanjay Gandhi, born on December 14, 1946, was a contentious figure due to his role during the Emergency period (1975-1977) imposed by his mother. His political career was marked by aggressive modernization efforts and involvement in various social and infrastructural reforms. However, his policies faced criticism for their authoritarian nature and poor execution, leading to widespread discontent. After the Emergency ended, Sanjay's influence diminished. Despite his brief and controversial political career, he remains a significant figure in Indian political history.
Sanjay Gandhi was instrumental in establishing Maruti Motor Ltd., the predecessor to Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., and played a key role in the development of the modern city of NOIDA (North Okhla Industrial Development Authority) in Uttar Pradesh. Aviation was another of Sanjay’s passions. He died in a plane crash on June 23, 1980, at the age of 33.
Following her husband's death, Maneka entered active politics. In her initial foray, she contested the 1984 General Election from the Amethi Lok Sabha constituency but was defeated by Rajiv Gandhi, Indira Gandhi's other son. However, she succeeded in the 1989 General Election from the Pilibhit Lok Sabha constituency and was appointed Minister of State for Environment. Maneka was one of the longest-serving Members of Parliament until her tenure ended with a defeat in the 2024 General Election from the Sultanpur Lok Sabha constituency.
A renowned environmentalist and animal rights advocate, Maneka has received numerous national and international awards for her work. However, she has also faced criticism for some of her actions related to women's rights and animal welfare.
As an animal rights activist, Maneka has been a passionate advocate for animal welfare, working tirelessly to promote legislation and initiatives to protect animals from cruelty and exploitation. Her efforts include campaigning for stricter animal protection laws and raising awareness about ethical treatment.
Maneka chairs the Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre (SGACC) in Delhi, founded in 1980 from a legacy left by the late Mrs. Ruth Cowell of New South Wales, Australia, to Sanjay Gandhi. The centre was inaugurated in September 1983. Maneka’s commitment to animal welfare is evident not only in her legislative work but also in her personal life.
Our elder son Saptarshi, with her.
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