One frequently hears that Rajiv Gandhi's grandfather was Pandit Nehru. But then we all know that everyone has two grandfathers, the paternal and the maternal grandfathers.
In fact, the paternal grandfather is deemed to be the more important grandfather in most societies.
Why is it then, nowhere, we find Rajiv Gandhi's paternal grandfather' s name? It appears that the reason is simply. Rajiv Gandhi's paternal grandfather was a Muslim gentleman from the Junagadh area of Gujarat .
This Muslim grocer by the name of Nawab Khan, had married a Parsi woman after converting her to Islam.
This is the source where from the myth of Rajiv being a Parsi was derived. Rajiv's father Feroze, was Feroze Khan before he married Indira, against Kamala Nehru's wishes.
Feroze's mother's family name was Ghandy, often associated with Parsis and this was changed to Gandhi, sometime before his wedding with Indira, by an affidavit.
Re: do u know this?
by Anshuman Patel on Apr 18, 2009 01:16 PM
What's this obsession with a particular family's past? How long we can live on inventing and re-inventing the past? Is it relevant to the issues being faced today by our country? Can't we spend more time on developmental issues instead of making inane statements on grnadfathers, mothers etc?
Re: India is democracy and NOT meritocracy.
by Yuyutsu on Apr 18, 2009 11:58 AM
Lets carry you model further. All women in your family should be married to people from different religions.This will create religious harmony in the world.
So many people blame hinduism for everything. To them I can only say they lack the insight. when the whole world used to have groups of people where everyone would cultivate, and take arms when attacked, Indians devised a system based on division of labor. Idian society prospered.Not everyone was cultivating or fighting. There were goldsmith,traders, carpenters, Musicians,scholars, farmers and fighters. Intercaste mobility was possible if desired.eg Valmiki from shudra to brahmin, or Chandragupta maurya who became from backward to Emperor. When Talent is discounted that's when the real problem arises. Even in mordern era Abedkar was educated by a brahmin family he got the position he deserved. The Goal should be to give people the opportunity to prove themselves rather than keep criticing Hinduism. It is the only religion that allows introspection and change.
Isn't this the story of every town in India ( except for few states) No power, no roads, no hospital or public transport.. Still the deciding factor is caste.. I am sure once the day come, when people decided on performance and not on other issue, we will shine... in fact we were very close to having performance oriented govt during 2004 ( NDA rule) but people overturned that.. Although NDA came on the religious plank but quickly turned towards development and ask votes based on that.. but we the people of India put the development on the back of mind & Voted recklessly. I wish the days would come back again when you vote for development not for party or caste
