New Delhi, August 6: Sushma Swaraj, veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former minister of external affairs, died after suffering a heart attack late on Tuesday. The death of Sushma Swaraj left Twitter teary-eyed as the former minister used the micro-blogging site effectively to help Indians abroad. When she was handling the ministry of external affairs, Indians on foreign land received swift response whenever they needed help. Sushma Swaraj Dies at 67: Veteran BJP Leader Had Many Firsts to Her Name, Here's a Look At Her Political Career.
Swaraj's exceptional work as external affairs minister made her one of the most loved politicians in the country. From reuniting families to helping citizens recover their passport, Swaraj always came to rescue of Indians in need. In her last tweet, she thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Parliament gave its nod for bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir and adopted resolutions to revoke the special status of the state under Article 370. Sushma Swaraj Dies: In Her Last Tweet, Former Minister Said 'Was Waiting to See This Day In My Lifetime'.
Sushma Swaraj played a key role in rescuing 168 Indians trapped in Iraq. Check out her tweets below:
I am happy all 168 Indians in https://t.co/3ghWPSMCu2 rescued. 141 came on 19th - remaining coming today pic.twitter.com/KM551QK6lX
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 22, 2015
When an Indian citizen lost her passport and money in Berlin, Swaraj came forward and offered swift help. Read her response below:
In Berlin. Lost my passport. Lost my money. Indian embassy only open from 9 30 to 12 30.
Does anyone have any contacts?
— Agratha (@Agratha) May 4, 2015
.@SushmaSwaraj Went to the embassy today and got my permit. Mrs. Tripathi and Mr. Murugan helped me out. Thank you for everything.
— Agratha (@Agratha) May 5, 2015
A man, who identified himself as Ali, said he would commit suicide if he was unable to return to India from Saudi Arabia. Responding to his tweets, Swaraj asked the Indian embassy in Riyadh to help him. Read her tweet below:
'Khud kusi' ki baat nahin sochte. Hum hain na. Hamari Embassy aapki poori madad karegi.
@IndianEmbRiyadh - Pls send me a report on this. https://t.co/ajU8EXyhAK
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) April 18, 2019
Swaraj also rescued Dev Tamboli’s sister from the clutches of trafficking from UAE. Check her response below:
I have asked our Ambassador in UAE to help. He will speak to you and do the needful. @Devtamboli
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 22, 2015
Not only to Indians, Sushma Swaraj also left no stone unturned to find Suzanne Lugano’s sister (of Dutch origin) who went missing in Rishikesh. Check her reply below:
My officers have located the missing Dutch girl Sabine Harmes. pic.twitter.com/cnh43a26Xg /2
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) February 29, 2016
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Sushma Swaraj, who was External Affairs Minister in his first government, lauding her services in helping Indians abroad. "An excellent administrator, Sushma Ji set high standards in every Ministry she handled. She played a key role in bettering India's ties with various nations. As a Minister we also saw her compassionate side, helping fellow Indians who were in distress in any part of the world.
"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," he said in a series of tweets.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 07, 2019 12:07 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).