In her recently released autobiography, 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', Congress leader Sonia Gandhi recounts the heart-wrenching loss of her first child, a newborn son who passed away shortly after birth in January 1969. The joy of expecting their first child and the preparations for his arrival were overshadowed by grief, questions about the baby's final rites, and a distressing newspaper report that haunted Sonia Gandhi to this day. Indira Gandhi, her mother-in-law, was overjoyed at the news of Sonia's pregnancy and took charge of preparations for the baby. However, the pregnancy took an unexpected turn when Sonia experienced uneasiness and abdominal pain during the seventh month. She was rushed to the hospital on January 18, 1969, where she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Sadly, his survival prospects were uncertain, and he passed away shortly after. The couple was devastated by the loss, and Indira Gandhi returned from her tour to offer support. Despite the tragedy, Indira's empathetic side emerged, and Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv's brother, offered comfort with his warm and humorous demeanor. However, the burial of the baby became a contentious issue, adding to Sonia's emotional turmoil.