Kind, caring and always at ease, recall three women about their interactions with Sonia Gandhi

Yunus uncle was ill and alone in 84, Lodi Estate. Some days when I visited him, he would tell me that Sonia had just left after visiting him and bringing him some of his favourite dishes she had prepared herself. I marvelled at her concern for an old, almost bed ridden man who had been largely forgotten by the world. He used to tell me how she stood by her mother-in-law during her hardest days after she had suffered a crushing defeat at the polls in 1977. ‘She would pick up the broom and clean debris after throngs of people left the reception room’, he would fondly recall.: Syeda Hameed

When my husband Murli passed away, she came to our residence in Mumbai and gave me a big hug. She stayed throughout the funeral with the entire family. I also remember how often she would call thereafter just to enquire about my well being: Hema Deora

Another day I and my husband were in Delhi and I had an appointment to meet Ma’am in the evening. We decided to go to Khan Market for lunch. As we were entering the place, a car pulled up and Rahul and Ma’am got off, without any fanfare - just the two of them. They were going to the same place we were and invited us to join them. We were thrilled to meet them so informally, over a meal. That day we spoke about everything but politics. We had a wonderful time. It was like sitting with friends and family. Of course, my husband had his fan moment and we had to click a picture together before leaving : Priya Dutt

(This article was first published in National Herald on Sunday)