'Absence I felt personally': Sonia Gandhi on ex-secretary Ahmed Patel's death
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, in her memoir 'Belonging: A Journey of Love', remembered her closest political advisers, late Ahmed Patel, saying that his death left a vacuum in the party and an absence that she personally felt. However, Sonia Gandhi got Patel's death year wrong in her book, released on Tuesday, mentioning it as 2022, instead of 2020, when he died due to Covid-related complications. He (Ahmed Patel) remained my political secretary till sadly he fell victim to the Covid epidemic in 2022, leaving a vacuum in the party and an absence I felt personally, she wrote about Patel. Ahmed Patel, also the Congress' former Treasurer, had tested positive for the Covid-19 on October 1, 2020 and had been admitted to the ICU of Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon on November 15. He died 10 days later, on November 25. However, the book wrongly mentions Ahmed Patel's death year as 2022. Ahmed Patel, AP as he was called in the party, was believed to be part of every key decision made by Sonia Gandhi. He was the Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat and had also advised former Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi. As a Youth Congress leader, Patel was chosen at 28 by late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to contest the Lok Sabha elections in 1977 from Bharuch in Gujarat. Patel reportedly refused to join the government and preferred to remain behind the scenes, advising Sonia Gandhi on alliances, political strategy and party crises. A loyal party colleague, approachable day and night, he (Ahmed Patel) came to play an important role as a troubleshooter, ready to listen patiently to disgruntled colleagues. Deeply religious but secular to the core in his politics, he kept a low profile while functioning as a coordinator between our party and our allies, the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson said in her memoir. While mourning Patel's death in 2020, Sonia Gandhi wrote she lost an irreplaceable comrade, faithful colleague and friend. Meanwhile, Congress leaders, on Tuesday, welcomed the veteran leader's memoir, describing it as an important literary work and saying that it offers insights into her personal and political journey.
Gurgaon Police trace missing 5-year-old boy, reunite him with family
9pm-4am: Worst phase of pollution in Gurgaon on Diwali as PM 2.5 breached severe-plus
HC gives Haryana 3 months to ensure schools have mechanisms against LGBTQ+ bullying
Over 40 fire calls on Diwali; major blazes reported in Khandsa, Sector 67 in Gurgaon
MCG to hire agency to transport municipal waste from Khandsa to Bandhwari
1 year of Delhi blast: Al-Falah university, where module operated, fills all MBBS seats
Man shot dead inside car; 18 rounds fired, gang rivalry suspected
TOI Explains: AQI of 3,000? Why your app data seems more alarming than the official one
Diwalis cracker window ignored, bursting goes on till 2am
Bilaspur Chowk flyover in Gurgaon set for partial opening by month end
Diwali cracker row turns fatal, 29-year-old plumber dies as teen throws brick at him from 4th floor
Trailer driver charred to death after fire breaks out inside vehicle's cabin at Gurgaon parking lot
15 Bangladeshi nationals held in Gurgaon; police say they entered India through multiple routes
Man beaten to death in Sonipat's Kharkhoda over water dispute; 2 others injured
'Around 10 bullets fired': Man shot dead inside car in Gurgaon
Is saving Rs 25,000 worth 4 hours in traffic daily? Gurgaon debate erupts
In Gurgaon, a man is weighing the prospect of relocating closer to his workplace to combat his lengthy daily commute. Despite the increased rent of a new flat, he reflects on the potential time savings each day. His wife, however, is apprehensive about the impact on their budget. The discussion resonates with many, highlighting the challenging balance between commuting costs, rent, and family time.
PM2.5 hits 8-year pre-Diwali high
ATS detains 14 Bangladeshi nationals in city
Report WFH violations: Gurgaon opens helpline for public complaints
Neighbour fires 15 rounds, kills Singapore-based IT VP after parking spat in Faridabad
Stations near Aravalis cross 300 mark on AQI scale
Men fire skyshots from moving car on Dwarka Expressway
Blinkit store manager in Gurgaon flees with gold, silver coins and cash worth nearly Rs 26 lakh
American Express employee assaulted, iPhone 17 snatched outside liquor shop in Sector 29
11-year-old kidnapped by tenant rescued from Navi Mumbai after 45-day search
Over 50 FIRs against illegal cracker sales ahead of Diwali
From gold coins to EVs, Gurgaon goes on Dhanteras shopping spree
American Express employee attacked with sharp object as bikers snatch iPhone 17 in Gurgaon
4,300 police personnel deployed for Diwali security; Security beefed up at markets, railway stations
Watch: Man fires fireworks from moving car on Gurgaons Dwarka Expressway, video goes viral
Police warn of legal action for violating construction ban in Gurgaon
West UP cities Indias most polluted in Oct, 5 NCR cities in top 10
Bike-borne snatchers on prowl in different parts of Gurgaon, target two women in a week
Bandhwari landfill cleanup gets new deadline, MCG now targets July 2027
BSF officers son falls 10 floors to death while installing lights for Diwali in Gurgaon Sector 85
Construction ban goes up in dust across NCR on Day 1
Shankar Chowk footbridge to be linked with Cyber City metro walkway
Met factors keep Gurgaon air in very poor zone for 3rd day; PM2.5 remains dominant pollutant
Song Under Scanner Too, Investigators Examining Its Lyrics And Video
Haryana to hold increments of health staff for failing quality norms
Haryana approves 85 contractual posts of junior engineers for MCG
Punjab gangster with Haryana accent? How court clerk's extortion bid failed
'Ive been shot in the stomach': Haryana man dies after 3 men shoot him at bike repair shop
Gurgaon govt school under probe over alleged warehouse, private business run from campus
BSF officer's 28-year-old son dies after falling from 10th floor of Gurgaon society
Drunk Thar driver hits schoolteachers scooter head-on on wrong side; woman suffers ankle fracture
Gurgaon AQI at 322, air remains very poor for second day
Haryana discoms move HERC challenging licence to Eleven Power
City restores temporary green cracker sale licences ahead of 2-day relaxation
CAQM sets Nov 15 deadline for MCG to boost road sweeping efficiency
Haryana CM orders salary cuts, transfers over lapses in Gurgaon
STF seizes 25k live cartridges from two cars, 5 detained
This Gurgaon couple bought a car for family road trips with their parrot
Asanka and Monisha, who relocated to Gurugram from Kolkata, purchased a pre-owned Toyota Urban Cruiser. They sought a car that could accommodate long road trips and their pet parrot, Jelly. Prior to buying, Asanka ensured the vehicle was inspected and serviced at a Toyota service center. By choosing a pre-owned model, they saved 7-8 lakh compared to purchasing a new one.
Haryana's air turns toxic ahead of Diwali: AQI crosses 300 in 5 cities; Bahadurgarh among worst hit
Virat Kohli celebrates his birthday on November 5th while competing in the ODI series against New Zealand. His stunning residence in Gurgaons DLF Phase 1 is valued at approximately 80 crores. Spanning over 10,000 square feet, this modern bungalow features luxurious interiors, a swimming pool, expansive glass windows, and beautifully landscaped outdoor areas, providing both comfort and privacy for the cricket star.
Delhi air turns hazardous; AQI touches 605, GRAP-II vehicle curb enforced at Gurgaon border
Delhi AQI: Among the worst-affected locations, Punjabi Bagh recorded an AQI of 452, followed by Dhaula Kuan at 417, ITO at 418, RK Puram at 423 and Ghazipur at 410. The air quality around India Gate stood at 414, with all these locations falling in the severe category.
Manchester-based techie found dead in Gurgaon hotel jacuzzi
Gurgaon AQI enters very poor category for first time this season, rises to 305 despite GRAP-II
In Gurgaon, fleet of 50 e-buses awaits launch as flag-off postponed
Man held for fathers murder in 2019 dies in Bhondsi jail, family cries foul
Motorcyclist dies after WagonR rams into bike in Sohna
Gurgaon bans construction, demolition work for 15 days as pollution curbs tighten
Illicit felling of sheesham trees: Haryana forest department seize timber after 100km chase
