India mourns death of Sushma Swaraj – ex external affairs minister

Sushma Swaraj, a BJP leader and India’s favourite politician passed away after having a heart attack on 6th August 2019.

She was very popular as India’s external affairs minister from 2014-2019. She did not contest in the 2019 elections due to her health. She underwent a kidney replacement in 2016 and had to recover.

During her term in office her role as a people’s politician is notable as she gained many followers on social media. She helped many Indians with foreign affairs and responded with timely solutions. She was elected to the parliament seven times and the legislative assembly three times.

She was the first woman chief minister in India as she became the chief minister of Delhi in 1998. She is known for being both feisty and funny.

Her work in flying Keralite nurses from Iraq five years ago during the ISIS strife in the country was truly commendable. Her timely intervention saved 46 nurses who were held hostage in Mosul, Iraq.

The Wall Street Journal has called her India’s best-loved politician. She was cremated with full state honours at the Lodhi crematorium in New Delhi. Leaders from all parties across the country paid tribute to the irreplaceable leader. Tributes also poured into the country from the diplomatic community across the world and world capitals sent condolences. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that this is the end of a glorious chapter in politics. She is survived by her husband Swaraj Kaushal and her daughter Bansuri.