New Delhi: The ultra-modern first family of Kashmir, the Abdullahs were apprehensive that their daughter Sara’s marriage to Sachin Pilot could have a knock-on effect on the National Conference politically.


The marriage eventually took place congenially with both sides eschewing animosity and the couple lived happily ever after. Sachin and Sara married on 15 January 2004 after a courtship while both were pursuing higher education at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Both hailing from different religions was another prickly issue when they broached the subject but it was never an issue once they tied the knot, despite their families being not on the same page on political issues, given their lineage.

Politics streamed into Sara’s blood since childhood as she grew up in that family ecosystem but little did she know that her marriage could bring two friendly families to a face-off situation.

Back then, Sachin Pilot was an amateur fledgling politician taking steady strides. 15 years later he has received the Deputy CM post which many believe he has accepted with a reluctant smile albeit hiding his frustration at not making it to the top post.



In an interview some years ago to Simi Garewal, Sara said she is quite passionate about women’s issues and she exhorts Pilot also to push on the agenda. Sara keeps checking on him about the education of girls in his constituency and wants to ensure that priorities of women need to be on top of his agenda of politics. Watch the complete interview above.