Sushma Swaraj tribute: 5 key facts to know
Indian politician and former External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, died of a cardiac arrest on 6 August 2019, at AIIMS Delhi. She was 67.
She is survived by her husband Swaraj Kaushal and daughter Bansuri Swaraj.
Here we take a look at the life of the successful leader
1. She comes from a family of politicians and studied politics and law
Sushma was born on 14 February 1953 in Haryana, to father, Hardev Sharma and mother, Shrimati Laxmi Devi. Her father was a prominent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh member. Her parents hailed from Dharampura area of Lahore, Pakistan.
She was educated at Sanatan Dharma College in Ambala Cantonment and earned a bachelor's degree with majors in Sanskrit and Political Science. Later, she studied law at Punjab University, Chandigarh.
Sushma’s sister, Vandana Sharma, teaches political science at a government college for girls in Haryana.
2. She started her law and political career in her teens.
While a student in the 1970s, she began her political career with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. At the age of 20, she began her practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India.
She became the Cabinet Minister in 1977 — becoming the youngest ever at 25 years of age. By the time she was 27, she became State President of Bharatiya Janata Party, Haryana State.
3. She met her husband at work
While working at the Supreme Court of India, she met her future-husband Swaraj Kaushal, a fellow advocate. They married on 13 July 1975. Their daughter, Bansuri Swaraj, is also a lawyer. Bansuri is an Oxford-graduate.
4. She had a prolific career
Sushma served as the Minister of External Affairs from 2014 to 2019. She was elected seven times as a member of parliament and three times as a member of the legislative assembly.
And she was loved by all — even across party lines
Opposition party leader, Rahul Gandhi, said in a tweet:
I'm shocked to hear about the demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator & an exceptional Parliamentarian, with friendships across party lines. My condolences to her family in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace. Om Shanti
Country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted:
A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people.
5. She loved indulging in light-hearted humor with her fans on Twitter
Sushma had a huge fan following on Twitter, and wouldn’t shy away from sharing a laugh with her fans.
When Ivanka Trump met Sushma, she tweeted :
I have long respected India's accomplished and charismatic Foreign Minister @SushmaSwaraj, and it was an honor to meet her today. #UNGA https://t.co/IeAfBCOETO
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) September 18, 2017