Right-winger Media have often tried hard to tarnish the image of Rahul Gandhi and his abilities, however, his struggling journey from Harvard till Cambridge despite political tensions against his family, is an inspiration to millions of Indian youth who aspire to reach their dreams.
Rahul Gandhi’s educational journey started at Modern School in New Delhi, India, where he grew up under the political limelight of his grandmother, Indira Gandhi, who served as a Prime Minister. Here he went through the early stages of education that provided a steady foundation for his later years in education.
After attending Modern School in New Delhi, Rahul Gandhi briefly joined St. Columbia School in New Delhi. He later enrolled to Doon School from 1981 to 1983. Here, he continued with the early stages of his education. This was however not to be sustained for as long as 3 years into his education at Doon school, his grandmother, who was then the Prime Minister of India, was assassinated.
Uncertainty and insecurity rocked Rahul’s family and in this regard urgent measure had to be taken. This had a great impact and imbalance on Rahul Gandhi’s tender education years and as a direct result, had to be homeschooled. This he did with his younger sister, Priyanka Gandhi. The political tension at the time did not allow Rahul and his family to be under the public eye.
Rahul Gandhi had great athletic ability in the sport of rifle shooting. His love for sports secured him a place in tertiary education. This paved way to his admission into St. Stephen’s College from 1989 to 1990. Here he began his undergraduate studies.
After his first year examinations at St. Stephens College, Rahul later proceeded to the prestigious Harvard University in the United States where he enrolled for an undergraduate program. This however took a strange twist when barely a year after, his father, Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. Rahul Gandhi’s university education at Harvard University therefore lasted one year.
From there, Rahul Gandhi’s options were limited and far between. He was admitted to Rollins College in Florida in 1991, where he graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. His father’s political assassination would bring with it certain consequences, one being his changing his name to Raul Vinci to conceal his identity. Only few university officials and security agencies knew his true identity.
Rahul Gandhi’s education did not stop there. In 1994, he joined Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated the following year with a Master’s of Philosophy (M.Phil) degree in Developmental studies.
The education of Rahul Gandhi has seen with it many challenges. It is evident however, that Rahul is a good example of a pillar of excellence in education. He is a great inspiration to many education scholars and a mentor to those who can identify with him. Rahul Gandhi’s education journey is the ultimate testament that education should be pursued no matter the difficulties.
