Sushma Swaraj passes away at 67: Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was cremated with full state honours at Delhi’s Lodhi Road crematorium on Wednesday evening. Sushma Swaraj’s daughter Bansuri performed the final rites of her mother. BJP patriarch LK Advani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu, BJP working president JP Nadda were among thousands of people who bid a tearful goodbye to the departed leader. Many jostled for a last glimpse as the casket with her mortal remains, wrapped in the tricolour, was put in the hearse in preparation for her final journey.
In Pics | Sushma Swaraj’s final journey
Earlier this morning, veteran BJP leader and Sushma’s mentor LK Advani described her as a remarkable leader and expressed grief over the demise of a charismatic leader. In his message, Advani, 91, said that Swaraj’s death is an irreparable loss and he will miss her presence immensely. “The nation has lost a remarkable leader. To me, it is an irreparable loss and I will miss Sushmaji’s presence immensely. May her soul rest in peace. My heartfelt condolences to Swaraj ji, Bansuri & all members of her family. Om Shanti,” he said.
US Embassy in Delhi also mourned the death of Swaraj and said that she was viewed as the representative of Indians. Israeli Ambassador Ron Malka also paid tributes to Sushma Swaraj and described her as a great friend of Israel who played a big role in the remarkable progress in the friendship with Israel.
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PM Narendra Modi and BJP Veteran LK Advani bid farewell to former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj as her mortal remains were consigned to flames at the Lodhi Road crematorium on Wednesday.
Saddened by the demise of his former Cabinet colleague, PM Narendra Modi broke down while paying tributes to former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. WATCH
Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away last night after suffering a major heart attack, was being bestowed with full state honours. Political leaders pay their last respects at Lodhi crematorium in New Delhi.
Mortal remains of Sushma Swaraj is now being taken away for cremation at Lodhi Road crematorium. PM Narendra Modi, Senior BJP leader LK Advani, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh present at Lodhi Road crematorium.
PM Narendra Modi and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay paid their last respects to Sushma Swaraj at Lodhi Road crematorium. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla laid the wreath at the mortal remains of Swaraj. BJP veteran LK Advani, who is known to be a mentor for Swaraj also present at the crematorium.
Sushma Swaraj, as external affairs minister, brought a sense of assertiveness in India's diplomacy and was known for her prompt response on Twitter to address grievances of overseas Indians. Political leaders cutting across the party lines pay homage to ‘people’s minister’. Take a look at Sushma Swaraj’s final journey
Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, performs her last rites. PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, former Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay and other leaders present at Lodhi Road crematorium.
Mortal remains of Sushma Swaraj have reached Lodhi crematorium. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP President Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and other BJP leaders present at Lodhi Road crematorium for Swaraj's last rites.
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday expressed grief over the "irreparable loss" his family has suffered following the demise of former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, whom party patriarch Bal Thackeray had once backed as NDA's prime ministerial face. Uddhav Thackeray said Swaraj's death marks an end of a "resplendent era" in Indian politics.
Mortal remains of Sushma Swaraj are being taken away from BJP headquarters to Lodhi Road crematorium in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present at the Lodhi Road crematorium for the last rites.
Mortal remains of Sushma Swaraj are being taken away from BJP Headquarters to the Lodhi Road crematorium in New Delhi. BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Piyush Goyal and other party leaders give shoulder to her mortal remains. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan are also present.
"I offer my prayers & my condolences at this difficult time. Sushma Swaraj enjoyed immense respect for her compassionate concern for people&her friendly demeanour. In devoting herself to service of others, she led a very meaningful life."
Sushma Swaraj's daughter Bansuri Swaraj and husband Swaraj Kaushal pay salute as state honours are accorded to her.
Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj wrapped in tricolour at BJP headquarters in Delhi.
Remembering former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the RSS said, "She was happy with the recent historic development in the nation, as she expressed before she left us. We express condolences to her family in this moment of grief."
Owner of MDH spice company, Mahashay Dharampal Gulati got emotional as he paid tributes to former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. at the BJP headquarters.
US Embassy in Delhi today mourned the passing of Sushma Swaraj and said that she was viewed as the representative of Indians. 'Today, the US Mission to India mourns the passing of Sushma Swaraj. Minister Swaraj was greatly respected & viewed as an outstanding representative of the Indian people, both at home and abroad.'
In a statement, the US Embassy further said that she was a key partner in strengthening US-India bilateral relationship. 'Sushma Swaraj was a steadfast advocate for her compatriots. As External Affairs Minister, she was a key partner in strengthening US-India bilateral relationship, most prominently during the inaugural 2 2 Ministerial Dialogue in September 2018.'
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi wrote a letter to the late leader's husband Swaraj Kaushal, extending her heartfelt condolences over the demise of the former external affairs minister.
The traffic will remain affected near Lodhi Road due to the cremation of former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj. The last rites of Swaraj will be held at Delhi's Lodhi Road crematorium later in the day. According to traffic advisory, traffic on Lodhi Road, Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, near Neela Gumbad, Moolchand Flyover, Defence Colony Flyover, Lodhi Road Flyover and on adjoining roads will be affected from 2 pm to 5:30 pm.
BJP leader Jaya Prada condoled the demise of Sushma Swaraj and said, 'We called her ‘didi’ & today she is no more with us. She was a mother, a sister, a huge politician & a great orator as well. She did a lot for the country, especially for the poor. We have lost a great, honest & a remarkable leader.'
BJP workers and mourners on Wednesday gathered in large numbers at the party headquarters on Wednesday to pay their last respects to Sushma Swaraj, veteran leader, former external affairs minister and also "didi" to many of them. Some cried inconsolably and others fought back their tears as top party leaders, including BJP president Amit Shah and working president J P Nadda, covered Swaraj's body with the national flag and paid their tributes. The body of the late leader, who died on Tuesday night at the age of 67, was brought from her residence to the party's headquarters.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogui Adityanath paid tributes to former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj at party headquarters in Delhi.
Senior advocate Harish Salve said that for him, Sushma Swaraj was an elder sister. "I was simply stunned yesterday on hearing about her demise. At 8:45 pm I had a talk with her. She said 'you have to come and take your fees of Re 1 for Jadhav case'. Just 10 min post that, she had cardiac arrest."
BJP president Amit Shah and working president JP Nadda pay tribute to Sushma Swaraj at party headquarters in Delhi. The mortal remains are kept here to allow the public to pay last respects to the departed soul.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati on Wednesday condoled the death of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav described Sushma Swaraj's death as irreparable loss. "Saddening... May God give peace to her soul and strength to her family. Sushmaji will always be remembered for efficient leadership and excellent efficiency," he tweeted in Hindi. BSP chief Mayawati also took to Twitter and wrote: "The sudden demise of senior BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj is saddening. She was not only a skilled politician and a great administrator but also a very social woman. Deepest condolence to her family members."
Chinese Ambassador to India Sun Weidong said, "Sad to learn about the passing away of Sushma Swaraj, former Minister of External Affairs of India. Appreciate her contributions to China-India relations. Express my deep condolences to her family."
Geeta, the Indian girl who was brought back from Pakistan in 2015 when late Sushma Swaraj was External Affairs Minister, pays tribute.
UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espinosa has hailed India's former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as "an extraordinary woman and leader." "Saddened by the news of the passing of @SushmaSwaraj, an extraordinary woman & leader who devoted her life to public service," Espinosa, who is on a visit to Britain, tweeted on Tuesday. "I had the honor of meeting her in my visits to #India, & will always remember her fondly. My deepest condolences to all of her loved ones," she added after Swaraj died on Tuesday in New Delhi.
Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday said that with the demise of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the country has lost a great leader and she lost an elder sister. "Today, India lost a great leader, the world lost an exemplary human being and I lost an elder sister," she tweeted.
The mortal remains of BJP leader Sushma Swaraj are being taken to the party headquarters for the public to pay homage. Public can pay their last respects to the departed sould till 2 PM at the BJP office. From here, the mortal remains will be taken to Lodi cremarotium for the last rites.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that Sushma Swaraj was an ambassador of the Indian culture. "She was an able administrator and a sensitive leader. Today the entire country is sad to lose a leader like her. She understood everyone's problems and served them. We are standing with her family,
he said.
Home Minister Amit Shah went to Sushma Swaraj's residence where he paid last respects to the departed soul. He said that Swaraj's death has created a great void that would be hard to fill. "Crores of people who loved her are sad and will miss her. She was a bright star of Indian politics and an able administrator. In the last five years as foreign minister she has made India proud globally under the leadership of the PM. Her absence will be felt for a long time. I pray that she rests in peace," he told reporters.
Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday remembered former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's "warm friendship" and said that she represented India on the world stage and fought tirelessly for Indian citizens. Mourning the demise of the senior BJP leader, Balakrishnan tweeted, “I met her countless times, and will always recall her warm friendship and wise counsel. Our hearts are broken by her loss." “Sushma Swaraj was a wonderful lady, always full of life, as she represented India on the world stage and fought tirelessly for her citizens," wrote the Singapore minister.
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that he never imagined that she will leave us so soon. "I knew her since 1977 when I was in youth Congress, we knew each other for last 42 years. We never called each other by name, she used to call me 'bhai' & I used to call her behen (sister)," he said.
BJP leader and Ravi Shankar Prasad said that when he came back from Parliament on Tuesday, he saw Sushma Swaraj's tweet on Article 370 and then news came that she is no more. "I have no words," he said.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar also said he was deeply shocked to learn about Swaraj's demise. "It is a personal loss for me," he wrote on Twitter.
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have condoled the demise of former external affairs minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj, hailing her as "one of India's tallest leaders and an epitome of integrity". The state Bharatiya Janata Party has cancelled all scheduled programmes for the day as a mark of respect to Swaraj.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, said he was shocked to learn about the former Delhi chief minister's demise and described her as a "dynamic and sensitive" leader. "Shocked to learn of the sudden demise of @SushmaSwaraj ji. I will always remember her as a dynamic and sensitive leader with the ability to empathise with the common people. Will miss her. May your soul rest in peace!," the senior Congress leader said in a tweet.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed grief at Swaraj's demise, saying it was an irreparable loss for the country's politics. "Extremely saddened to hear about Sushma Ji's demise. It is an irreparable loss for the country's politics. We have lost a great leader and a brilliant orator who was full of human emotions," he said in a tweet. Rawat prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to her family to bear the loss.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said, "We express our sincere condolences to the people of India on the premature passing away of the former Foreign Minister of this friendly country."