Page 8 - NIS English 01-15 February, 2025

Personality Sushma Swaraj

SUSHMA: SYMBOL OF DEDICATION,

ORATORY AND COURAGE

The youngest cabinet minister in the Haryana government,
the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi, the Leader of the
Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and the popular Foreign
Minister... Beyond all these roles, Sushma Swaraj was well
known for her oratory, courage, and dedication, for her
the measure of success did not mean avoiding falling but
standing up with more strength and clarity... The country
is saluting her on her birthday...

14 FEBRUARY 1952 - 06 AUGUST 2019

Tuesday, 6 August 2019: ‘Thank you, Prime Minister. I Broadcasting Minister, Union Health and Family Welfare
was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.’ This was her Minister and Foreign Minister.
last public interaction after the announcement of the
abolition of Article 370 a few hours before her death, WHEN SHE SAID, 'YES, WE ARE COMMUNAL...'
which is indicative of the fact that for Sushma Swaraj Her dedication and clarity with regard to ideology are
charm of power was insignificant compared to Ek reflected in the Loksabha in which she said, " Yes, we are
Bharat- Shreshtha Bharat. communal because we advocate singing Vande Bharat.
Born on 14 February 1952 in Ambala Cantt, Haryana, We are communal because we fight for the respect of
Sushma Swaraj started her political career in the the national flag. Yes, we are communal because we
1970s with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. Her demand the abolition of Article 370.
father Hardev Sharma was a prominent member of
the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. After completing SUSHMA ALWAYS LENT A HELPING HAND
her graduation in Sanskrit and Political Science from As foreign minister, she led large-scale evacuation
Sanatan Dharma College, Ambala Cantonment, Sushma mission during the Yemen crisis. Under Operation
Swaraj took a law degree from Punjab University, Rahat, 4,741 Indian nationals and 1,947 people from
Chandigarh. During her college days, Sushma won the 48 countries were rescued. During the Yemen crisis,
award of the best NCC cadet for three consecutive Swaraj responded to a tweet by a Yemeni woman, Saba
years and the best Hindi speaker award three times in Shawesh, who was stranded there with her eight-month-
a row in the state level competition organized by the old Indian child. Sushma Swaraj ensured her rescue
Language Department of the Haryana Government. too. In another case, swift action was taken to rescue
While being the Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj gave the sister of a man who was held captive by a human
a speech in Hindi at the United Nations in September trafficking gang in the UAE. Be it a 5-year-old Pakistani
2016. Her speech was discussed all over the country. girl needing a liver transplant or an Indian girl named
She used to participate enthusiastically in the World Geeta who was unable to hear or speak, Swaraj set an
Hindi Conferences. She also made many efforts to example of humanity by helping whenever needed.
make Hindi the official language of the United Nations. Remembering her, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
She had been a seven-time MP and three-time had also said, Sushma ji's speech was not only effective
MLA as well as the fifth person and the first woman but also inspiring. Everyone felt the depth of thoughts
to become Chief Minister of Delhi. She also held the in Sushma ji's speech, and the height of her experience
positions of Leader of Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha, also set new standards every moment. These can be
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Union Information and achieved only after prolonged sadhana. n

6 6 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR | February 1-15, 2025