Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, received a rare and emotionally significant family heirloom during his visit to Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh — the long-lost driving licence of his grandfather, Feroze Gandhi. The historic document, believed to have been missing for several decades, was carefully preserved by a local family and formally handed over to Gandhi during a public programme in his parliamentary constituency.
The licence was presented by Vikas Singh, a member of the organising committee of the Rae Bareli Premier League cricket tournament. Singh explained that the document was originally discovered several years ago by his father-in-law during a local event in Rae Bareli. Recognising its historical and personal value, the family chose to safeguard the licence rather than let it be lost or damaged. After his father-in-law’s death, the responsibility of preserving the document was taken over by Singh’s mother-in-law, who continued to treat it as a valuable trust.
Describing the licence as an “amanat”, Singh said the family firmly believed that the document belonged to the Gandhi family and should be returned at the first appropriate opportunity. When they learnt about Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Rae Bareli, they felt it was their moral duty to hand it over to him personally.
Rahul Gandhi received the licence on stage, examined it closely, and expressed appreciation for the family’s efforts in preserving the historic document. Later, he shared a photograph of the licence with his mother, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, through WhatsApp, highlighting the personal importance of the moment.
Feroze Gandhi, born in December 1912, was a prominent parliamentarian and played a key role in India’s early democratic years. He represented Rae Bareli after winning the constituency in the country’s first general elections in 1952 and remained closely associated with the region. He passed away on September 7, 1960. The return of his driving licence has resonated deeply in Rae Bareli, underscoring the enduring bond between the Gandhi family and the constituency that has been central to their political legacy for decades.
