The whole world was shocked when the news broke that Prime Minister Rajiv Ghandi had been assassinated by a suicide bombing on May 21, 1991. Sonia Ghandi, now the widow of the Indian leader, was overwhelmed with grief.

The whole world was shocked when the news broke that Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had been assassinated by a suicide bombing on May 21, 1991.

Sonia Gandhi, now the widow of the Indian leader, was overwhelmed with grief. SGI President Ikeda, who had once met with the late prime minister and had since fostered a friendship with him, expressed his condolences to Mrs Gandhi and presented her with a music box that played the tune to a song “Mother”. It was his sincere hope that she overcomes the sorrow of her loss and go on to once again live a life filled with good health and happiness.

Mrs Gandhi listened to the melody every day. A sound of hope seemed to be coming out of that little music box. Mr Ikeda’s sincerity seemed to have reached Mrs Gandhi’s heart. By the time the music box eventually began showing wear, she had regained her vitality.

When she visited Japan, Mrs Gandhi mentioned to Mr Ikeda that her music box had since stopped playing smoothly. “I’ll get you a new music box,” Mr Ikeda said. But Mrs Gandhi responded, “I feel attached to this one, so I would prefer to have it returned so I can hear its melody again in the future.”