Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad connect dates back to birth

KOZHIKODE: Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s

Wayanad

connection can be traced back to his birth when

Rajamma Vavathil

– a nurse from Kalloor near Sultan Bathery in Wayanad – was among the first to take the newborn in her hands 48 years ago. She was on duty along with a team of doctors and nurses in the labour room of Holy Family Hospital in Delhi on June 19, 1970 when Rahul was born.


Rajamma (72), who returned to her roots in Wayanad where Rahul had contested in the recent polls, is awaiting an opportunity to meet him when he arrives here after the declaration of election results.

“I was fortunate to see him first and even hold him before his parents did. What is even more surprising is that he came all the way to my native place as a candidate. When Congress workers came to my home with election pamphlets seeking votes, I asked them if they knew that I had held him, as a newborn, in my hands. They were awestruck. They later brought out the story,” she said.

Rajamma said she had a lot to tell, like how he was when he was born. “I still have vivid memories of him as a cute newborn and am equally thrilled to meet him as our future MP. After all he is my grandson, right?” she asked.

Rajamma said that the controversy over his citizenship is totally inappropriate. “How can one raise such a wild allegation? I witnessed his birth and held him as a baby,” she said.

Rajamma said that Sonia Gandhi was admitted to the hospital as a patient of Dr Ghai, a gynaecologist. “I was one among the six nurses on duty at the labour room. The entire labour room was excited as we were handling the birth of the prime minister’s grandchild. After his birth, we took turns to hold the newborn and he was addressed as PM’s grandson,” she recalled.

Rajamma added that the hospital staff didn’t face any issues due to security arrangements for Sonia. She said that while both Rajiv and

Sanjay Gandhi

were present at the hospital wearing white kurtas, Indira Gandhi was touring Patna that day. She came to the hospital to see her grandson after two days.

Rajamma had completed her nursing from the Holy Family nursing college. After a brief stint at the hospital in Delhi, she joined the Indian military as nurse in 1971 and served there for over a decade.