Happy Birthday Rahul Gandhi: From mourning son to political heir, here are rare moments from Congress chief's life

Hailing from a long line of politicians, Rahul Gandhi, who is the current president of the Indian National Congress, is celebrating his 49th birthday on 19 June 2019. While PM Modi tweeted birthday greetings. "May he be blessed with good health and long life," the Congress posted a short video curating a look back at "five times when he inspired Indians everywhere."
Rahul Gandhi was born to former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and former Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi on June 19, 1970, at a time when his grandmother Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India.  (Photo | PTI)
Rahul Gandhi was born to former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and former Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi on June 19, 1970, at a time when his grandmother Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India. (Photo | PTI)
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In image: Rahul with Pakistan's 'Tehreek-e-Insfaaf' founder and former cricketer Imran Khan. (Photo | PTI)
In image: Rahul with Pakistan's 'Tehreek-e-Insfaaf' founder and former cricketer Imran Khan. (Photo | PTI)
On December 5, 2017, he succeeded his mother Sonia Gandhi, the longest serving Congress chief who has helmed the party since 1998. IN PIC: Congress president Sonia Gandhi with AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi during a rally at Phoolbagh ground in Kanpur, after the conclusion of the two-day UP Congress Convention on 31st March, 2008. (Photo | PTI)
On December 5, 2017, he succeeded his mother Sonia Gandhi, the longest serving Congress chief who has helmed the party since 1998. IN PIC: Congress president Sonia Gandhi with AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi during a rally at Phoolbagh ground in Kanpur, after the conclusion of the two-day UP Congress Convention on 31st March, 2008. (Photo | PTI)
Rahul Gandhi became the Congress Vice President in January 2013. (Express Photo)
Rahul Gandhi became the Congress Vice President in January 2013. (Express Photo)
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi shaking hands with villagers after interacting with self help groups of an NGO at Banda Somaram village district in Andhra Pradesh. (Express Photo)
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi shaking hands with villagers after interacting with self help groups of an NGO at Banda Somaram village district in Andhra Pradesh. (Express Photo)
Until very recently, a poor speaker and heavily attacked by the troll army and criticism of not taking up ministerial positions, Rahul Gandhi's biggest obstacle was coming out of his mother's shadow. (Express Photo)
Until very recently, a poor speaker and heavily attacked by the troll army and criticism of not taking up ministerial positions, Rahul Gandhi's biggest obstacle was coming out of his mother's shadow. (Express Photo)
Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at the Rajiv Gandhi Samadhi 'Veer Bhoomi' in New Delhi' on the occasion of late Prime Minister's 58th Birth Anniversary. (EPS | Anil Sharma)
Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi at the Rajiv Gandhi Samadhi 'Veer Bhoomi' in New Delhi' on the occasion of late Prime Minister's 58th Birth Anniversary. (EPS | Anil Sharma)
Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi leaving the samadhi of their late father Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of his 50th Birthday. (Photo | PTI)
Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi leaving the samadhi of their late father Rajiv Gandhi on the occasion of his 50th Birthday. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi, Congress President and her son Rahul at the raising day function of the Special Protection group. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi, Congress President and her son Rahul at the raising day function of the Special Protection group. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi with children Rahul and Priyanka leaves Teen Murthi Bhavan, Delhi, after urns containing the ashes of Rajiv Gandhi are deposited there. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia Gandhi with children Rahul and Priyanka leaves Teen Murthi Bhavan, Delhi, after urns containing the ashes of Rajiv Gandhi are deposited there. (Photo | PTI)
Rahul Gandhi with his mother Sonia and sister Priyanka offering 'Ahums' during the Tenth day function after Rajiv Gandhi's death at Teen Murthi House, Delhi. (Photo | PTI)
Rahul Gandhi with his mother Sonia and sister Priyanka offering 'Ahums' during the Tenth day function after Rajiv Gandhi's death at Teen Murthi House, Delhi. (Photo | PTI)
Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi praying for their father's soul. (Express Photo)
Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi praying for their father's soul. (Express Photo)
Rahul Gandhi consoling his sister Priyanka. (Express Photo)
Rahul Gandhi consoling his sister Priyanka. (Express Photo)
In this 1991 image, Rahul is consoling his mother Sonia, shortly after the assasination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. (Express Photo)
In this 1991 image, Rahul is consoling his mother Sonia, shortly after the assasination of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. (Express Photo)
Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi (in dark glasses) walking towards the spot where Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. (EPS: D. Sampathkumar)
Sonia, Priyanka and Rahul Gandhi (in dark glasses) walking towards the spot where Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated. (EPS: D. Sampathkumar)
The Gandhi family, Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka at the Rajiv Gandhi memorial meeting. (Photo | PTI)
The Gandhi family, Sonia, Rahul and Priyanka at the Rajiv Gandhi memorial meeting. (Photo | PTI)
Sonia is seen attending the funeral of her husband Rajiv Gandhi with her son Rahul and Priyanka. (Express Photo)
Sonia is seen attending the funeral of her husband Rajiv Gandhi with her son Rahul and Priyanka. (Express Photo)
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with his wife Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. (Express Photo)
Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with his wife Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. (Express Photo)
Indira Gandhi kissing her grandson Rahul. Also seen are Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with Sonia and daughter Priyanka. (Express Photo)
Indira Gandhi kissing her grandson Rahul. Also seen are Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi with Sonia and daughter Priyanka. (Express Photo)
Rahul hugging his father Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. (Express Photo)
Rahul hugging his father Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. (Express Photo)

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