Sanjay Gandhi (14th December, 1946 – 23rd June, 1980)

Sanjay Gandhi was an Indian politician and the son of Indira Gandhi. He was born in New Delhi, on 14 December, 1946. Just like his elder brother Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay was educated at St. Columba’s School, Delhi, Welham Boys’ School, Dehra Dun and then at the Doon School, Dehra Dun.

He did not attend university, but took up automotive engineering as a career and underwent an apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce in Crewe, England for three years. He was very interested in sports cars and also obtained a pilot’s license in 1976. He was interested in aircraft acrobatics and won several prizes in that sport. His elder brother Rajiv Gandhi was however a Captain in Indian Airlines flying the Boeing 737-200 ADV aircraft. Sanjay Gandhi was quite close to his mother.

He won Amethi for the Congress (I) in the general election held in January 1980. Just one month before his death, he was appointed secretary general of the Congress Party in May 1980.

Sanjay Gandhi died instantly from head wounds in an air crash on 23 June, 1980, near Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi. He is now chiefly remembered for the family planning initiative.