- Sushma Swaraj, who is today known as the best External Minister till date, is one of those leaders who has made Modi-led government proud.
- When earlier it was difficult to even remember who our external affairs minister was, Sushma Swaraj has made all of us felt that she exist and exist to do good for others.
| Date of Birth | 14 February 1952 |
| Birth Place | Ambala Cantt, Haryana, India |
| Hometown | Ambala Haryana |
| College | Sanatan Dharma College, Kurukshetra University, Punjab University |
Educational Qualifications | Bachelor degrees in Sanskrit and Political Science |
| Family | Father- Hardev Sharma Mother- Shrimati Laxmi Devi Brother- Gulshan Sharma Sister- Vandana Sharma |
Favourite Politician | Atal Bihari Vajpayee |
| Husband | Swaraj Kaushal |
| Children | Son- N/A Daughter- Bansuri Swaraj |
| Party | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Profession | Lawyer-Politician |
| Died | 6 August 2019 (aged 66)New Delhi |
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EARLY LIFE |
- Sushma Swaraj was born on 14 February 1952 at Ambala Cantt, Haryana, to Hardev Sharma and Shrimati Laxmi Devi.
- She was educated at Sanatan Dharma College in Ambala Cantonment and earned a bachelor’s degree with majors in Sanskrit and Political Science.
- She studied law at Punjab University, Chandigarh. A state-level competition held by the Language Department of Haryana saw her winning the best Hindi Speaker award for three consecutive years
CAREER |
- In 1973, Swaraj started practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India. Swaraj began her political career with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in the 1970s. • She actively participated in Jayaprakash Narayan’s Total Revolution Movement. After the Emergency, she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Later, she became a national leader of the BJP.
STATE LEVEL POLITICS |
- She was a member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly from 1977 to 1982, acquiring the Ambala Cantonment assembly seat at the age of 25, and then again from 1987 to 1990.
- She became State President of Janata Party (Haryana) in 1979, at the age of 27 years. She was Education Minister of Haryana state in the Bharatiya Janata Party– Lok Dal coalition government during the period of 1987 to 1990.
- After a tenure in national level politics, in October 1998 she resigned from the Union Cabinet to take over as the first female Chief Minister of Delhi.
NATIONAL LEVEL POLITICS |
- Swaraj was elected to the 11th Lok Sabha from South Delhi constituency in April 1996 elections. She was Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting during the 13-day government of PM Atal Bihar Vajpayee in 1996.
- She was re-elected to 12th Lok Sabha from South Delhi Parliamentary constituency for a second term in March 1998.
- She was Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs from January 2003 until May 2004, when the National Democratic Alliance Government lost the general election.
- She served as the Deputy leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha till April 2009.
- Sushma Swaraj became Leader of Opposition in the 15th Lok Sabha in place of Lal Krishna Advani on 21 December 2009 and retained this position till May 2014 when in Indian general election, 2014 her party got a major victory.
- Swaraj has been serving as the Indian Minister of External Affairs under Prime Minister Narendra Modi since May 2014, responsible for implementing the foreign policy of Narendra Modi. She is only the second woman to hold this position after Indira Gandhi
PERSONAL LIFE |
- During the times of Emergency, on 13 July 1975, Sushma Swaraj married Swaraj Kaushal, a peer and fellow advocate at the Supreme Court of India.
- Swaraj Kaushal is now a senior advocate of Supreme Court of India and a criminal lawyer who served as Governor of Mizoram from 1990 to 1993.
- She was a member of parliament from 1998 to 2004. • The couple have a daughter, Bansuri, who is a graduate from Oxford University and a Barrister at Law from Inner Temple.
Facts About Sushma Swaraj Which Will Make You Respect Her Even More |
1. Born on 14th February 1952
Sushma Swaraj was born on 14 February 1952. Her birthplace being Ambala Cantt, Haryana, Sushma Swaraj was born to Hardev Sharma and Shrimati Laxmi Devi.
2. From Sushma Sharma to Sushma Swaraj
Sushma Swaraj was Sushma Sharma before her marriage to Swaraj Kaushal.
3. Links to Pakistan
Sushma Swaraj’s parents hailed from Dharampura area of Lahore, Pakistan. She also visited Dharampura during her last visit to Pakistan.
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4. Education
Sushma Swaraj got her early education from Sanatan Dharma College in Ambala Cantonment and got bachelor degree with majors in Sanskrit and Political Science.
Then she studied law at Punjab University, Chandigarh.
5. A child prodigy
She also received the tittle of the best cadet of N.C.C at the S.D. College, Ambala Cantt for three years in a row.
6. Killing with her speeches since long time
Won best Hindi Speaker award for three consecutive years, held by the Language Department of Haryana.
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7. Interests
With an interest in classical music, poetry, fine arts and drama too, Sushma Swaraj can be definitely be called an all-rounder!
8. Start of political career
In early 1970s, she joined Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and from there began her political journey.
Sushma Swaraj father was also a prominent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh member.
9. Start of professional career
In 1973, Sushma Swaraj started practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India. She was part of George Fernandes Legal Defense team in Baroda Dynamite case (1975-77) along with Swaraj Kaushal.
George Fernandes in Chains during Emergency (1970)
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10. Marriage with Swaraj Kaushal
During the times of Emergency, Sushma Swaraj married Swaraj Kaushal on 13, July, 1973.
Swaraj Kaushal who was designated as Senior Advocate by Supreme Court of India at the young age of 34. And has also served as Governor of Mizoram (February 1990 to February 1993).
11. Youngest ever Cabinet Minister
In 1977, Sushma Swaraj became the youngest cabinet minister, at the age of 25, in the Janata Party Govt., headed by then Chief minister Devi Lal.
Sushma Swaraj sworn as youngest ever Cabinet Minister in the country in 1977
12. Of the many firsts to be honored
In 1979, at an young age of 27, Sushma Swaraj became State President of 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.
13. Liberating Indian Film Industry
From the underworld to the legal papers, the journey of film production to make it to an industry, again made possible by Sushma Swaraj when she declared Indian film industry, thus making it eligible for bank finance.
Swaraj was Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting at that time (1988).
14. First female Chief Minister of Delhi
Served as first female Chief Minister of Delhi for a short period in 1998 (13 October – 3 December).
IK Gujral with Chandrashekhar and the then Delhi Chief Minister Sushma Swaraj in May 1998.
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15. Contested against Sonia Gandhi in 1999
Her popularity among the crowd can be clearly seen when she managed to get 358,000 votes in her favor in just 12 days of her campaign for the Bellary constituency in Karnataka, where she had contested against Sonia Gandhi.
Thou, she lost by a margin of 7%, Swaraj gave a good fight to Sonia Gandhi.
Sushma Swaraj waves to supporters during an election rally in Bellary in 1999.
16. Set up up six AIIMS
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.
A 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
17. Honored with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award in 2004
First and only female MP till date to be honored with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award.
She has been elected seven times as the member of the parliament, and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
18. Pushed Congress in formation of Telangana
Sushma Swaraj played a major role in passing Telangana Bill which let to formation of a separate state Telangana. Swaraj also has to argue with her own mentor Senior BJP Leader LK Advani for this.
And once she said:
“Telangana, when you thank Sonia amma for the formation of Telangana state, don’t forget your Chinamma (Sushma Swaraj referring to herself)”
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19. Second woman to be Minister of External Affairs
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.
20. A diplomatic genius
The crowning achievement of operation Rahat, during Yemen Crisis. When India helped manly countries including United Kingdom, Russia, United States, Pakistan etc.
21. Takes gemology and astrology a bit too seriously
A staunch believer in Astrology, she dresses and eats according to the stars.
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22. Like parents, like daughter
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.
Sushma Swaraj (R) with her daughter Bansuri Swaraj(L)
23. Tweet and Viola! Solution!
Being one of t he most tech-savvy ministers, she is always there to help other in need. Many have got immediate help after they tweeted to Sushma Swaraj.
24. Sushma Swaraj death
- Sushma Swaraj suffered a heart attack on 6th of August 2019 and was rushed to AIIMS but was not able to survive.
- She had a kidney transplant in 2016 and had opted out of contesting Lok Sabha polls earlier this year for health reasons.
Please Note:
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