Sanjay Gandhi’s birth anniversary: His unseen pictures with Nehru, Indira, Varun, Rajiv

Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Varun Gandhi on Monday paid tributes to late Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi on his birth anniversary at Shanti Van in the national capital. Sanjay was born on December 14, 1946 and was a dominant figure in the Indian political scenario. He died in a plane crash on 23 June 1980 while he was flying a new aircraft of the Delhi Flying club. Here we present his unseen pictures from our archives.

Indira Gandhi on her left in Sanjay Gandhi and Mrs Ambika Soni, President of the Indian Youth Congress on her right and others youth leader at the opening of National Convection of the Presidents of youth block Samitiess of Indian Youth Congress. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Sanjay Gandhi campaigning of Reddy Commission. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Seen here, Political leader Sanjay Gandhi with veteran actor Dilip Kumar adressing a press conference. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Indira Gandhi along with sons Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and daughter-in-law Sonia Gandhi with grandchildren Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. (Source: Express archive photo)

Sanjay Gandhi being taken away by Police at New Courts in Delhi in 1978. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Sanjay Gandhi during election campaign at Kalahasti on December 27, 1976. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Seen here, Congress leader Sanjay Gandhi with veteran actor Manoj Kumar. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Varun Gandhi, son of Maneka Gandhi, playing at Shanti Van after paying homage to his father Sanjay Gandhi on June 23, 1981. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Sanjay Gandhi addressing a grand meeting of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and other business organisations at Kala Mandir. Seated with him are: Sudhir Jalan, President of Indian Chamber, DP Chattopadhayay, Union Minister for commerce and Chief Minister SS Ray on February 1976. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Seen here, Surender Singh second from left, Ambika Soni, Indira Gandhi, and Sanjay Gandhi. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Seen here, Jawaharlal Nehru embracing his grandson Sanjay Gandhi. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Seen in this picture, Rajiv Gandhi with his wife Sonia Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and Mrs. Indira Gandhi. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Rajiv was not too keen on entering politics but joined Congress at the behest of his mother Indira after his brother Sanjay Gandhi, an MP, died in a plane crash in 1980. He married Sonia Gandhi in 1968 and was a professional pilot with the Indian Airlines before his days as a politician. In Pic: Mrs. Indira Gandhi watches closely as son Rajiv Gandhi signs register's book at his Civil Marriage Ceremony. Looking on his side Sonia Gandhi (2nd from right). Sanjay Gandhi is also seen in the picture on January 1968. (Express archive photo)

Seen here, Indira Gandhi along with sons Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi and daughter-in-law Sonia Gandhi with grandchildren Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Congress Leader Sanjay Gandhi. Express archive photo (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Congress Leader Sanjay Gandhi walks with a smile on his face on October 29, 1976. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Seen here, Congress Leader Sanjay Gandhi with Union Minsiter Raghuramaiah at Venkateswara University campus. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Sanjay Gandhi acknowledging greetings of the vast multitudes as he is taken in a procession in Guntur. Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh J Vengala Rao and Union Minister K Raghuramaiah are alongside Sanjay Gandhi on March 1976. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Seen in this picture, Congress Leader Sanjay Gandhi and SB Chavan on October 30, 1976. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Political leader Sanjay Gandhi walks with other leaders and supporters at Bombay airport on October 24,1976. (Source: Express Archives Photo)

Maneka Gandhi, daughter-in-law of Indira Gandhi, along with Varun Gandhi and her supporters at Sanjay Gandhi's samadhi at Shantivan on June 24, 1982. (Source: Express Archives Photo)