This morning came with a lot of rain in major parts of India along with one of the saddest news of its time. The iron lady of India, Sushma Swaraj passed away. When the nation was fiercely celebrating the revocation of Article 370 of Constitution of India, the former foreign minister took her last breath hours after congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter.
She tweeted प्रधान मंत्री जी – आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji – Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.
प्रधान मंत्री जी – आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji – Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2019
Many people reposted her tweet writing, ‘when you know it’, and it’s not wrong we guess.
Though it is a fact that who doesn’t know Shushma Swaraj’s achievements, her doing most of it while performing her duty and wittiness along with sarcasm, of course, there are few lesser-known facts about her as well. Sushma Swaraj, who today stands as the best External Affairs Minister till date, and one of the best cabinet Minister in Modi-led NDA government. Famous for being one of the most helpful, tech-savvy ministers of India, she has restored our faith in bureaucracy and has received applause from all around the world.
Here are lesser-known facts about Sushma Swaraj that you probably didn’t know:
- The Valentine Baby
Born to Hardev Sharma and Laxmi Devi of Ambala Cantt, Haryana, Sushma Swaraj’s birth date was 14th February 1952.
- From Sharma to Swaraj
Sushma Swaraj and Swaraj Kaushal tied the knot on 13th July 1975. Her husband is an Indian criminal lawyer practicing in New Delhi. He was designated Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India at age 34. He has the distinction of being India’s youngest ever Advocate General at age 34 and Governor of a state at 37 years of age. He served as the Governor of Mizoram between 1990 and 1993.
- Link to Pakistan
Sushma Swaraj’s parents hailed from the Dharampura area of Lahore, Pakistan. She also visited Dharampura during her last visit to the country.
- Education
Sushma Swaraj did her schooling from Ambala Cantt only. In her early education, she pursued her bachelor’s degree with majors in Sanskrit and Political science from Sanatan Dharma College in Ambala Cantonment. Later, she studied law at Punjab University, Chandigarh.
- Always an Exceptional
Swaraj also received the title of the best cadet of NCC at the SD College, Ambala Cantt for three years in a row.
- Those Killer Speeches
As we know, Sushma Swaraj was known for her witty and sarcastic comments, but she was an amazing orator as well. Not only being loved for her speeches at UN assemble and our parliament, but Swaraj also won the best Hindi Speaker award for three consecutive years, held by the Language Department of Haryana.
- Definitely an All-Rounder
Sushma Swaraj had a flair for music, drama, fine arts and poetry. In fact, she had also given some of her notable accomplishments in these areas during her life. As we said, definitely an all-rounder.
- An Early Start
In the 1970s, Swaraj joined Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and from there began her political journey. Sushma her father was also a prominent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh member. In 1973, Sushma Swaraj started practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India. She was part of the George Fernandes Legal Defense team in the Baroda Dynamite case (1975-77) along with Swaraj Kaushal.
- Youngest Cabinet Minister Ever
In the year 1977, Swaraj became the youngest cabinet minister, at the age of 25, in the Janata Party Govt., headed by then Chief Minister Devi Lal.
- A Lady of Many Firsts
In the year 1979, at a young age of 27, Sushma Swaraj became the State President of the Janata Party, Haryana State. She is also the first female Spokesperson of a national political party in India. Swaraj has many firsts to her credit as BJPs’ first female Chief Minister, General Secretary, Leader of Opposition, Union Cabinet Minister, Spokesperson and Minister of External Affairs. She also served as the first female Chief Minister of Delhi for a short period in 1998 (13 October – 3 December).
- Liberating Indian Film Industry
From the underworld to the legal papers, the journey of film production to make it to industry, again made possible by Sushma Swaraj when she declared the Indian film industry, thus making it eligible for bank finance. Swaraj was Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting at that time (1988).
- Six AIIMS in One Year
During her tenure as Union Health Minister (January 2003 to May 2004) she opened up 6 All India Institute of Medical Sciences, at Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur, and Rishikesh. It was a big milestone in her ladder of achievements.
Health Minister of South Africa Dr. M. Tshabalalla M. Slmange with Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Smt. Sushma Swaraj, 2003
- Outstanding Parliamentarian Award 2004
Sushma Swaraj was the first and only female MP till date to be honored with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award. She has been elected seven times as a member of the parliament, and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
- The Formation of Telangana
Swaraj played a major role in passing Telangana Bill which led to the formation of a separate state Telangana. Swaraj also has to argue with her own mentor Senior BJP Leader LK Advani for this. Again putting her witty side on, once she said: “Telangana, when you thank Sonia amma for the formation of Telangana state, don’t forget your Chinanna (referring to herself)”.
- The Second Woman to Be Minister of External Affairs
Sushma Swaraj was the second woman to be India’s Minister of External Affairs after Indira Gandhi. Serving since 26, May 2014, as Minister of External Affairs under Narendra Modi led NDA government.
- A Genious Diplomat
How can we forget the crowning achievement of operation Rahat, during Yemen Crisis! When India helped manly countries including the United Kingdom, Russia, the United States, Pakistan, etc.
US spends 10 times as much on its military as India does – but tells Americans in #Yemen to call the Indians if they want a lift out!
— Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) April 6, 2015
- Like Mother, Like daughter:
Sushma Swaraj is a mother to a brilliant daughter, Bansuri Swaraj, an Oxford graduate, and a Barrister at Law. Bansuri has of course followed into the steps of her mother.
- A Strong Believer of Astrology and Gemology:
Sushma believed in astrology and gemology to the core. She dressed, ate and practiced life as per the guidelines of these sciences.
- Accessible Via Tweets:
Being one of the most tech-savvy ministers, she is always there to help others in need. Many have got immediate help after they tweeted to Sushma Swaraj.
We will definitely help. I have asked my office to get in touch with you. https://t.co/vl9ebyY1TH
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 30, 2018
The 67-year-old had been unwell for some time, which is why she had not contested the recently held Lok Sabha election and had opted out of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s new government. In June, she had moved out of her official residence. The former External Affairs Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Sushma Swaraj suffered a massive cardiac arrest at around 9 pm on Tuesday. After her health deteriorated, she was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, where she was declared dead.
Though India has lost its iron lady, it’s not the end of her era. Sushma Swaraj was truly an inspiration to all. She was the real face of women empowerment and she will always remain in our hearts. May the soul rest in peace!
