Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Sonia Gandhi
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question is about political biographies. The title "An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny" clearly suggests the story of a person whose personal journey is closely tied to India's political path. This biography focuses on Sonia Gandhi, who led the Indian National Congress for many years. Identifying her as the subject of the book is a common requirement in general knowledge exams.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The given title is "An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny".
- The options list four prominent Indian political figures.
- Only one of them is the subject of this particular biography.
- The exam expects recognition of which leader's life is described in the book.
Concept / Approach:
The conceptual step is to connect this title to Sonia Gandhi, whose journey from Italy to the centre of Indian politics is often described as both unusual and deeply tied to India's destiny. The biography by Rani Singh emphasises this transformation. Although Manmohan Singh and Indira Gandhi also have important biographies, this exact title belongs to Sonia Gandhi, and Shashi Tharoor is mostly an author rather than a subject in biographies of this type.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that detailed biographies of Sonia Gandhi often highlight how she came from abroad, married into the Nehru Gandhi family, and later led the Congress party.
Step 2: Remember that one of the best known books about her is titled "Sonia Gandhi: An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny".
Step 3: Compare with Manmohan Singh, who has autobiographical and biographical works but not under this title.
Step 4: Note that Indira Gandhi has separate biographies, and Shashi Tharoor is known mainly as an author and politician, not as the subject of a book with this exact name, confirming that the correct answer is Sonia Gandhi.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick check is to recall that in book catalogues the full title begins with "Sonia Gandhi" followed by the phrase "An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny". This makes it clear that she is the central subject. No similar pairing exists in the same form for the other names in the options, so there is no serious ambiguity once the learner remembers the structure of the title.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Manmohan Singh has biographies and political analyses written about him, but they use different titles focused on economics and policy.
Shashi Tharoor appears mostly as an author and commentator; he is not the subject of this biography.
Indira Gandhi has several biographies, but they do not carry the title "An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny".
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to see the phrase "Indian Destiny" and assume that it must relate to a Prime Minister rather than a party leader, leading students to choose Manmohan Singh or Indira Gandhi. Another pitfall is simply not remembering which member of the Nehru Gandhi family is associated with which biography. Grouping books by subject during revision helps prevent these mix ups.
Final Answer:
"An Extraordinary Life, An Indian Destiny" is a biography of Sonia Gandhi.
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