Sushma Swaraj, a towering figure in Indian politics, left an indelible mark on the nation. This comprehensive biography explores her life, career, and legacy.

Wiki/Biography

Born on Thursday, February 14, 1952 (age 67 at the time of death) in Ambala Cantonment, Haryana, Sushma Swaraj’s zodiac sign was Aquarius. She received her primary education locally before pursuing a B.A. in Political Science and Sanskrit from S.D. College, Ambala Cantonment, where she earned the “Best Student” Award in 1970. Following this, she obtained a Bachelor of Laws from Punjab University, Chandigarh.

Her early foray into law began in 1973 when she started practicing at the Supreme Court of India. Interestingly, she was part of George Fernandes’ legal team in 1975, a pivotal moment that shaped her political trajectory. Even before this, her involvement in politics started in 1970; her exceptional oratory skills were evident when she won the “Best Hindi Speaker” award for three consecutive years at a state-level competition.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 5′ 2″
• Weight (approx.): 60 kg
• Eye Colour: Black
• Hair Colour: Black

Family, Caste & Husband

Hailing from a Brahmin family, Sushma Swaraj’s father, Hardev Sharma, was a prominent member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), while her mother, Laxmi Devi, was a homemaker. Her family originally came from Dharampura, Lahore, Pakistan. Her sister, Vandana Sharma, is a politician and associate professor, and her brother, Dr. Gulshan Sharma, is an Ayurveda doctor.

She married Swaraj Kaushal, a senior Supreme Court advocate and politician, in 1975. Their daughter, Bansuri Swaraj, is a criminal lawyer practicing in Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court.

Career

Sushma Swaraj’s political journey began during her college years with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). Her involvement in George Fernandes’ legal team during the Emergency (1975-1977) propelled her into active politics, participating in Jayaprakash Narayan’s Total Revolution Movement and organizing protests against the Indira Gandhi government.

After the Emergency, she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Her impressive career highlights include:

• Elected MLA, Haryana Legislative Assembly (1977)
• Youngest Cabinet Minister in an Indian state (1977)
• State President, Janata Party, Haryana (1979)
• Education Minister, Haryana (1987-1990)
• Various ministerial roles at the Union level, including External Affairs Minister
• First woman Chief Minister of Delhi
• First woman Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha

Her tenure as External Affairs Minister was particularly notable for her active use of Twitter to assist Indians abroad and her strong representation of India on the global stage. She was widely regarded for her effective foreign policy initiatives.

Controversies

Throughout her career, Sushma Swaraj faced several controversies, including:

• Criticism for assisting Lalit Modi with a visa.
• Public criticism for her online interactions.
• Controversy surrounding her suggestion to declare the Bhagwad Gita as the national scripture.
• Criticism for dancing during a protest at Rajghat.

Awards & Honours

Sushma Swaraj’s contributions were recognized through numerous awards, including:

• Best Speaker Award, Haryana State Assembly
• Outstanding Parliamentarian Award (2004)
• Grand Cross of Order of Civil Merit (Spain, 2019)
• Padma Vibhushan (Posthumous, 2020)

Death

Sushma Swaraj passed away on August 6, 2019, after suffering a cardiac arrest at her New Delhi residence. Her death was mourned across the political spectrum, with numerous leaders paying their respects.

Major Achievements

Her remarkable achievements include:

• Youngest Cabinet Minister in India (1977)
• Youngest State President of a national party (1979)
• First woman spokesperson of a national party
• First woman Chief Minister of Delhi
• First woman Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha

Address

C-7, Civil Lines, Professor’s Colony, Bhopal

Assets & Properties

Net Worth

Approximately 17.55 Crores INR (as of 2014)

Facts

Sushma Swaraj was known for her witty and humorous responses on Twitter, her passion for fine arts, poetry, and cultural music, and her exceptional memory.

She was also a highly decorated NCC cadet and delivered a widely praised speech at the 2018 UN General Assembly. Her husband, Swaraj Kaushal, also held significant positions in his career. She was the most followed woman politician globally on Twitter, showcasing her massive influence and popularity.