May 21, 1991. Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. Indian politician, Rajiv Gandhi, assasinated while campaigning for the then upcoming elections.

Come to think of it, the memories of this shocking news are still fresh in my mind. I had woken up late that day - summer vacations, so no school. And then people at home were talking in sad voices. Our maid was talking & crying at the same time. I looked out of the window and found few men with a gloomy look, standing outside someone else's home. On enquiring from my aunt as to what has happened, got to know that Rajiv Gandhi has been assasinated while campaigning for upcoming elections. By a LTTE suicide bomber. I was in tears.

Till date, he has been the only politician whom I found with the 'need' and 'want' to take India forward. He made reforms that made changes to lives of many common people. He was the one to reduce import quotas, taxes & tarrifs on technology-based industries. He also announced National Poily on Education in 1986, with special emphasis on removal of disparities in education. It was due to his efforts that MTNL (Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited) was created in 1986. Not only that, he was also instrumental in creating public call offices or PCOs as they are widely known as to people in India. PCOs helped rural areas to a lot extent in order for them to connect with others through telephones. There were many other initiatives - for example, reducing the voting age for Indians from 21 years to 18 years.

May 21, 2010. 19th death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi. 19 long years. I don't cease to wonder how better India could have been if Rajiv Gandhi was still around as our Prime Minister. Things would have been different. For good.

Remembering Rajiv.