Thanks for your birthday wishes. Thanks also for that mozzarella cheese it's such a help, you just don't get the stuff here. Had barely woken up today when there was George knocking frantically on the door. Madam, he whispered, they are at the gate. Who, I asked, irritated. Them, Madam, from Amethi, they want to wish you a happy birthday. Should I let them in, Madam? Basta! Enough! Sometimes I really wish I could escape from this. Instead, I tell George to let them in.Outside the gate there are hundreds more of them, distributing sweets, dancing the bhangra and shouting Sonia ao, party ko bachao. Personally, I prefer the other one, Desh ka neta kaisa ho, Sonia Gandhi jaisa ho. It has a nice ring to it. Rajiv always maintained that the more flowery the phrase, the more the masses love it.Talking of flowers, I was up to my ears in birthday bouquets. By the time the day was done at least 2,000 people, including that old buffo, Kesri, asked me to campaign for the party. I just smiled sweetly every time. Rajiv always said, in politics it is best to keep them guessing. Ciao for now. Sonia10, Janpath,December 14Mamma mia,Got up really early this morning and made a dash for Sanjay's memorial. It was freezing, but it had to be done. I had to beat Maneka to it. You know, the Family thing. Didn't care too much for him myself, even though he did make me a director in his company, but Rajiv always said the Family must be projected as the Firm to the public. He told me to observe how the British Queen did it.When I reached the samadhi, the press photographers were waiting for me. Decided to show them my imperious left profile. Knew that once they got pictures of me, they won't bother to wait for Maneka. She is such a silly creature anyway, more bothered about cats and goats than anything else. One thing though, she can fight like a cat! Just keep that one at arm's length, was Rajiv's advice to me.That old buffo, Kesri, is making a mess of Rajiv's party. People are leaving it like what was the word that Rajiv once used like lemmings. At this rate, there will be no one left, then what will happen to us? Rajiv always said that politics is full of uncertainties, but it gets me real agitato, especially since the Bofors papers are expected to arrive any time now. What a mess that Ottavio Quattrcchi - remember him, you stayed at his place once? - made of it. Ah well, can't run away, can one? It's the Family thing, you know, and the bambini. Will write again soon. Ciao. Sonia10, Janpath,December 21Mamma Mia,Merry Christmas. Remember those great Christmas holidays we used to have together when Rajiv was alive? That holiday in Lakshadweep where we went snorkelling? That was truly la dolce vita. Alas, finita la commedia. It's all over. Now I am busy trying to smooth the ruffled feathers of a stupid Congress woman leader from Calcutta who keeps screaming against Rajiv's party. It's all that old buffo's fault, he just can't keep the people with him.Maybe I should step in. They say I could enthuse, galvanise and electrify the masses. What do they think I am? A generator set? But they are right. Tell me what you think, mamma? Talk to Anuska, Walter, Nadia, Jose, and let me know, presto. Ciao. Sonia.10, Janpath, December 29Mamma Mia,Just a quick note. I've said yes. Today I called George and said, take my acceptance note down. He was so excited, he forgot that the word ``acceded'' had two `c's. Silly man! Now things are sure to reach a crescendo. They'll go on about Bofors and my Foundation, and what have you. There's that nasty BJP lot who'll now scream ``Rome vs Ram Raj''. But Rajiv always said, the masses can never resist a Gandhi. He always told me that to them I am another Mrs Gandhi. And if one Mrs Gandhi can do it, so can I.Must brush up on my Hindi though. Yesterday, I practised my Amethi speech before the mirror three times. You know the one that goes Aap meri vedna ko bahut achchi tara samajh sakte hain..By the way, I desperately want two pairs of strong walking shoes. Can't campaign with five-inch heels on, can one? Rajiv always wore sneakers, but that may look clumsy. What do you think? And yes, before I forget, a Happy New Year, mamma. Ciao for now. Sonia
