Mingling freely and even giggling at the odd joke, it was a relaxed Congress president Sonia Gandhi who gave a rare insight into her persona when she hosted a high tea for 60 journalists here.

Over rava idli, vada with chutney and a cup of sugarless tea Tuesday evening, the 58-year-old Gandhi - who said she is not fussy about food but likes to keep away from sweets - kept everyone at ease and showed little signs of her characteristic disdain and taciturnity in interacting with the media.

Dressed elegantly in red striped cotton sari, Gandhi began by chatting about her eating habits and gradually slipped into conversations about her party-led government, its relation with its allies and her plans about the future of the Congress. But she strategically avoided sensitive questions.

The tea party was organised ahead of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government's one-year anniversary May 22.

For most journalists, the cool evening at the beautifully laid lush green lawns of 2, Motilal Nehru Marg - the office of the government's National Advisory Council which she heads - after a scorching day was a pleasing experience, both personally and professionally.

Most of them tried to make the best of the rare occasion as they spent almost two-and-a-half hours with the often reclusive woman, reckoned to be one of the most powerful women leaders of the world.

The large variety of snacks and sweets on offer held little attraction for the reporters who surrounded her from all sides and refused to let her move from table to table as planned.

The only person who appeared unperturbed by the overenthusiastic journalists was Gandhi herself.

She listened to everyone, took her time and answered each question, often overruling her aides, giggled a lot with the women scribes and enjoyed the jokes they shared.

Gandhi made a studied attempt to convince her audience that the Congress party affairs were most important to her. "I know I have not spent much time on the party and workers in the last year, as it was too difficult for me to get out of the responsibilities with the UPA and the government."

"I know I will have to give more time to party and workers this year," she added.

When asked about the young brigade in the party she said: "You will see. I will include many of them in the party."

"And Rahul?" asked one. "They're all like Rahul for me," Gandhi's response was quick.

The evening witnessed a changed Gandhi- from a reluctant politician in the 1990s to a confident and forthcoming national leader a decade later.