So here is a brand new #ThinkinThread with some interesting dates and facts. The dates of Rajiv Gandhis Assassination and The founding of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.
Rajiv Gandhi died on 21 May 1991
Rajiv Gandhi Foundation founded 21 June 1991
Rajiv Gandhi died on 21 May 1991
Rajiv Gandhi Foundation founded 21 June 1991
It was a very shocking and tragic death, and it shook the entire nation. I can only imagine the shock the family might have been under. Yet in 30 days there was a trust in place.
In those days, any Trust or Section 25 Company (now it is Section 8 Company) took more than a month to be founded. It is possible that due to the name and influence that it carried, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation would have taken a bit lesser, but not less than 20-25 days.
So the work of founding this trust started 5 days after his tragic death?
Isn't it intriguing that even before the ashes of her husband had cooled down, she was able to discuss the Trust Deed and get in people to sign the documents? It took a couple of days for the body to be flown down, and the final rites to be performed if I remember this right.
At that point, Rajiv Gandhi's wife and children had no inclination towards public life. Yet, in 30 days they could initiate this and complete all paperwork needed for putting the trust together and functional. Grief works in strange ways for sure.
Also note this date: on 24th July 1991( yes 1 month and 3 days after the date of formation of Rajiv Gandhi Foundation) in his maiden budget speech, Manmohan Singh allocated Rs. 100 crores to RGF. Budget making process also takes about a month right?
A grieving widow manages to put a functional trust together, influence the FM and the PM to transfer Rs. 100 Crores of public money to this specific trust. I am sure grief works in different ways for different people. Strange are the ways of Congress for sure.
