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<ul><li>Senior BJP leader and former Minister of External Affairs, Sushma Swaraj, passed away on Tuesday (August 6) after a fatal heart attack at the age of 67.</li><li>Swaraj, a firebrand Hindu nationalist in her younger years, changed the face of foreign ministry and was dubbed India's 'supermom' by the Washington Post.</li><li>She will be remembered for breaking the gender-based glass ceiling more than once long before women empowerment became a buzzword in Indian politics.</li></ul>Senior BJP leader and former foreign minister Sushma Swaraj passed away on Tuesday (August 6) at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS). The BJP veteran reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 67. Born on Valentine's Day in 1953, she earned bachelor's degree with majors in Political Science and Sanskrit from the Punjab University. Her father Hardev Sharma was a long-time member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Hindu nationalist organisation and the ideological parent of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Advocate by profession, Swaraj remained in the saffron fold all her life. Until a few months before her demise, she was the country's Minister of External Affairs-- one of two women to hold that office till date -- where her active involvement and quick responses on social media not only helped many in distress but also earned her the tag of <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/indias-foreign-minister-is-cast-as-supermom--to-125-billion-compatriots/2016/08/14/ff9889f9-96aa-4ddc-b1b0-42f8f79fe20f_story.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India's 'supermom'</a>. 
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="VikasSwarup" handlename="Vikas Swarup" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/835911885518061568/Wgnnx_sv_normal.jpg" favoritecount="360" retweetcount="121" status="Stunned to hear that @SushmaSwaraj is no more. I had the privilege of working with her very closely. She touched mi… https://t.co/aGoSthmMJ5" createdat="1565114453000" id="1158800124459585536"></div>













 She holds many records like being the youngest cabinet minister at the age of 25, the first female spokesperson for a national political party, as well as the Spanish government's <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/swaraj-accepts-spain-s-top-civic-award-during-visit-119021900938_1.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Grand Cross of Order of Civil Merit</a> in recognition of India's support in evacuating its citizens from Nepal after the 2015 earthquake. A key character in history By the 1970s, the young Swaraj was a firebrand youth politician rallying as part of the revolutionary movement led by the Gandhian stalwart Jayprakash Narayan against the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She became a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament, in 1990 and the first lady to be Delhi's Chief Minister in 1998-- the stint, however, lasted only 3 months. She had the trust of former Prime Minister, the late Atal Behari Vajpayee, and held key portfolios including information and broadcasting, telecommunications as well as health and family welfare. Under Narendra Modi's leadership, she held the foreign ministry until 2019 when she decided to retire from contesting elections. 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="Youtube" id="lviT78WtYig" title="FULL SPEECH: EAM Sushma Swaraj's address at United Nations General Assembly" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lviT78WtYig/mqdefault.jpg"></div>













 Taking a Gandhi head on Swaraj never shied away from challenges whether it was outside her party or within. She famously took on the mighty <a href="https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2019/04/12/The-Nehru-Gandhi-safe-seats-When-Sonia-Sushma-crossed-swords-in-Ballari.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Sonia Gandhi head on in Bellary</a>, considered to be a 'safe seat'' for the Gandhi family, in 1999. Swaraj lost the election but that was the beginning of a fierce rivalry between the two ladies, one that left an indelible story in Indian politics. Swaraj in the image of an 'ideal Indian woman' took the fight to Sonia Gandhi calling her the 'foreigner' triggering a debate that ended with Gandhi choosing not to become the Prime Minister despite having won the election. Swaraj had lost the election but her rhetoric had won. 
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="RahulGandhi" handlename="Rahul Gandhi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/974851878860312582/O-Zn2b72_normal.jpg" favoritecount="16251" retweetcount="3023" status="I’m shocked to hear about the demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator &amp; an e… https://t.co/smO1haZJ4r" createdat="1565115719000" id="1158805433294868481"></div>













 In 2004, Congress lost the seat in Bellary, for the first time in over 50 years, as the local satraps, the infamous Reddy brothers accused of illegal mining, decided to back the BJP. 
 Opposition to Modi as Prime Minister The brilliant orator also <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/dont-declare-narendra-modi-as-pm-immediately-sushma-swaraj/articleshow/22350151.cms?from=mdr" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">crossed swords with none other than Narendra Modi</a> before the 2014 election. She stood with the old guards of the BJP in stalling Modi's candidature for the post of the Prime Minister. While a political truce was struck between the two sides within the party, and Swaraj was made the foreign minister, <a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/external-affairs-and-the-armchair/291881" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">her role was cut to size</a> soon after the government took over. 
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="55644" retweetcount="13969" status="Sushma Ji’s demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My t… https://t.co/EA0y0huas8" createdat="1565114991000" id="1158802378998419457"></div>













 However, Modi and his long-term aide, the former spy Ajit Doval, drove the country's foreign policy, Swaraj deftly redefined her role to stay relevant, and more prominent, in people's minds. The Other Modi What made matters worse for Swaraj were her and her family's <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/sushma-swaraj-amit-shah-lalit-modi-external-affairs-minister-bjp-257521-2015-06-15" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">ties with Lalit Modi</a>, the controversial businessman who built the billion dollar Indian Premier League and was later indicted for money laundering, embezzlement, and breaking rules while living a lavish lifestyle. Swaraj, whose daughter was Lalit Modi's legal counsel, was accused of helping him flee the country in 2014. Eventually, <a href="https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/1/4024/The-Reason-Why-PM-Modi-and-the-RSS-Decided-to-Support-Sushma-Swaraj" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">there was peace between the two camps</a> within the BJP and Swaraj came out of the controversy with minimal scars. She spent the remaining years in her office as foreign minister connecting with people via Twitter. Her affectionate and sensitive responses to Indians in distress in other countries, during times of hostility or a natural disaster, earned her the love and likes from millions of people. 
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="SushmaSwaraj" handlename="Sushma Swaraj" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/959220898417950720/Ij9WNV0g_normal.jpg" favoritecount="35193" retweetcount="13749" status="Even if you are stuck on the Mars, Indian Embassy there will help you. https://t.co/Smg1oXKZXD" createdat="1496891814000" id="872653636849082368"></div>













 This was her last tweet. 
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="SushmaSwaraj" handlename="Sushma Swaraj" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/959220898417950720/Ij9WNV0g_normal.jpg" favoritecount="138751" retweetcount="34010" status="प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi… https://t.co/ZoP1vYYETM" createdat="1565099604000" id="1158737840752037889"></div>













 Irrespective of whether one agrees with her politics, Swaraj will be remembered for breaking the glass ceiling more than once long before women empowerment became a buzzword in Indian politics. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/rip-vg-siddharthas-death-and-why-former-prime-minister-hd-deve-gowda-cried/articleshow/70464431.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">A former Prime Minister cried on national TV for VG Siddhartha-- the untold tales of politics and privilege may die with India’s coffee baron</a>

India's 'supermom' Sushma Swaraj, the lady who redefined the country's Foreign Ministry, is no more

<keyword id="6355111" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sushma-Swaraj">Sushma Swaraj</keyword> had a very long political career. She came to the peak of her fame when she served the <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> government 2014 as the External Affairs Minister. Known to the whole world as the most compassionate external affairs minister, she was quick to reach out to people during their difficult times with the right kind of intervention which the media and a lot of people admired. This fact made her stand out several times on the top headlines on the news channels and print media. Here is an outline of her most commendable and successful political career. Beginnings of her political career Sushma Swaraj began her political career in 1970 when she joined Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarti Parishad (ABVP). She was also an active member in RSS. The youngest cabinet minister In 1977, Sushma took charge as the cabinet minister in the Janata Party Government under Devi Lal as the Chief Minister. At that time, she was the youngest cabinet minister assuming the office at the age of 25. She had the honor of bagging the many firsts in her political career In 1979, Sushma became the Janata Party’s Haryana State President at the young age of 27. She has several firsts as a female occupying the positions of the spokesperson of a national party in India, the general secretary, leader of opposition, minister of external affairs and union cabinet minister. She was also the first female chief minister of Delhi for a short period in 1998 (from October 13 to December 3). Gave a strict opposition to Sonia Gandhi in 1999 In just 12 days of her campaign against Sonia Gandhi, Sushma managed to get 358,000 votes in the Bellary Constituency of Karnataka. Sushma lost only with a small margin of 7% votes. This was her popularity among the masses. An outstanding parliamentarian She was the first female to bag the award of ‘Outstanding parliamentarian’ in 2004. She was elected as an MP for seven times and as the member of legislative assembly for 3 times. The second woman to become the External Affairs Minister When she became the External Affairs Minister in 2014 Modi government, she was the second one to assume the office after Indira Gandhi. After serving from this position for five years, she took back from contesting in the election on health grounds during 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The closing day tweet On the last day of her life on the earth, she tweeted, “Thank You Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime”, registering her happiness over the successful passing of the bill that split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories. A highly venerated politician passes away When she passed away due to cardiac arrest on Tuesday, August 6, 2019, she was heralded as the most charismatic leader and many people tweeted she will be remembered forever in the pages of the nation’s history for the commendable work she had accomplished for the country and the BJP party. Narendra Modi praises her political life Praising her talents and contribution as a minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on her death, “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.”

The political life of Sushma Swaraj

<ul><li>The former Finance Minister of India succumbed to sustained illness today (August 24).</li><li>For a politician who never won an election, Jaitley remained largely relevant and influential throughout his career spanning decades.</li><li>Jaitley famously backed Narendra Modi in his early days and even when the party's leadership denounced the latter, he stoody by Modi.</li><li>In a world where friendships are forged with secrets and power, Jaitley was everyone’s confidante, philosopher, and guide. </li></ul>India’s former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passed away after sustained illness at the age of 66 after an impressive political career spanning decades when he never won an election but was always relevant and maintained his deep influence in Indian politics. Jaitley, along with the former Foreign Minister, the late Sushma Swaraj -- <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">who passed away earlier this month</a>-- were instrumental in keeping the Bharatiya Janata Party relevant, as an opposition party, in the ten years preceding 2014 when Narendra Modi swept to power as India's Prime Minister. Modi himself owes a lot to Jaitley for his rise to political prominence in India. Not just Modi, even the BJP's harshest critics found it way easier to deal or negotiate with Jaitley. A very apt example of Jaitley's realpolitik, his ability in the <a href="https://www.livemint.com/Politics/1JEYCQDdw88BvxjCIHATxK/Reforms-are-the-art-of-the-possible-Arun-Jaitley.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">'art of the possible'</a>, is the rollout of the complicated Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, through the GST Council-- which Jaitley led until May 2019-- where Jaitley had to convince state governments with conflicting interests to find a common ground. It is not possible to be a successful politician or a lawyer without making a few enemies. But the smooth-talking Arun Jaitley, who studied at St Xavier's and Shri Ram College of Commerce, wore both these hats causing little or no animosity around him. Paradoxically, Jaitley was also sharp-tongued and temperamental by nature but he dictated his mood and not the other way around. When the Supreme Court struck down an Act which intended to break the age-old collegium system of appointing higher judiciary, Jaitley was quick to call it the “tyranny of the unelected”, something he knew it will be thrown back at him for his electoral failures. Jaitley remained an nominated member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament, from 2000 to 2018 as he never won an election. The Former Chief Justice of India, RM Lodha, did taunt him in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD2GNu556aA" data-type="tilCustomLink">a televised national debate in 2015</a>. But Jaitley was prepared and he knew how to direct the debate in the direction he wanted. That was his skill, the ability to know the strengths and weaknesses, not just of himself but of his rivals too, like few else can. Watch the riveting debate between Arun Jaitley and Former Chief Justice of India RM Lodha over the National Judicial Appointments Commission in 2015. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="Youtube" id="tD2GNu556aA" title="NJAC Debate with Arnab Goswami | Legislature Vs Judiciary | Arun Jaitley Vs Justice R M Lodha - Full" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tD2GNu556aA/mqdefault.jpg"></div>













































 Jaitley could see the future and he placed his bets, and made friends, accordingly right from the days as a student politician, to when he became a lawyer and later, the member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Jaitley was Vajpayee’s man who stood by Modi Years before Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister and was barely a politician of any significance, Jaitley became his friend. Modi was living out his exile from Gujarat politics in 1995 at the BJP party headquarters in Delhi, when he met Jaitley--who was then called ‘Vajpayee’s man’. Jaitley had lobbied for <a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/ties-that-bind/291379">Modi and turned </a>instrumental in making him the chief minister and later the country's Prime Minister. And his ability to network was so slick that even when he chose sides, he made no foes. For one, he chose Modi over LK Advani as the Prime Ministerial candidate in 2013, and yet remained close to the latter. Years later, everyone came to know Jaitley as Modi’s man. The current Prime Minister had so much confidence in Jaitley that during the first five years of the Modi government, Arun Jaitley held the portfolios of Finance, Corporate Affairs, Defence, and Information and Broadcasting-- and at times he was in multiple important portfolios simultaneously. A <a href="https://caravanmagazine.in/sports/rajat-sharma-the-ddca-and-the-perks-of-a-close-friendship-with-arun-jaitley" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">similar friendship forged with Rajat Sharma</a>, the founding editor of India TV, one of India's most influential television channels, lasted Jaitley's lifetime. Sharma reportedly used to drive Jaitley around the Delhi University on his scooter while the latter was campaigning as a student politician in the 1970s. Jaitley represented both Coke and Pepsi as a lawyer against each other at different times He could have even written the famous book ‘How to make friends and influence enemies?’ if Dale Carnegie wouldn’t have beaten him to it. Jaitley had represented two of the world’s most bitter rivals—<a href="https://www.sify.com/news/how-everybody-loves-arun-jaitley-news-columns-pmwpk3ebbdfjd.html" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Coca Cola and Pepsi as a lawyer</a>. He was Coca Cola’s lawyer for a case against Pepsi and vice versa. Though many would have rolled their eyes at this feat, for him it was a small game. Jaitley's frienship with rivals Sonia Gandhi and P Chidambaram In the <a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/ties-that-bind/291379" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">long list of unlikely friends</a> is Sonia Gandhi, the head of the rival Congress party, and former Finance Minister, and a lawyer turned politician just like him, P Chidambaram. Jaitley seemed to have gotten through his life keeping all his friends along with a successful career. But many of his friendships were tested, in court as well as Parliament. In 2012, Jaitley was a part of the Opposition party, and he was chosen to question and grill P Chidambaram, the home minister of the ruling Congress party about <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-aircel-maxis-case" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">the Aircel-Maxis deal</a>. Chidambaram started answering the question by saying that <a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/aircel-maxis-deal-probe-will-test-friendship-between-chidambaram-and-jaitley-116030300275_1.html">he was happy that </a>“a friend of 22 years has questioned him.” Though later through the session, Chidambaram turned emotional and “felt as if someone plunged a dagger into him.” Their friendship withstood the barbs, the scams, as the Congress politician continued to attend Jaitley’s annual lunch parties which also doubled as his <a href="https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/ties-that-bind/291379">birthday </a>celebration. Jaitley's rivalry with Subramanian Swamy and Ram Jethmalani Two of Jaitley’s most vicious critics are country’s top lawyers Ram Jethmalani and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. Both have <a href="https://www.pgurus.com/mr-arun-jaitley-hope-you-have-learnt-your-lesson-for-treating-sonia-family-with-kid-gloves-you-owe-answers-in-mallya-exit/" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">passed vitriolic comments</a> against Jaitley and they both had old beefs to settle. Jaitley was once the legal assistant to Jethmalani. Yet, the camaraderie did not last long. Jaitley is known to <a href="http://www.indialegallive.com/commercial-news/controversy-news/battle-legal-eagles-21529">have influenced Vajpayee </a>to push Jethmalani from his position as the law minister unceremoniously. The fire-breathing lawyer had never forgiven Jaitley nor forgotten the slight, and had used every excuse to criticise him. He also went back to court as Delhi chief minister Arun Kejriwal’s lawyer in a libel case, just for the pleasure of cross-examining his old adversary. But Jaitley was not a man to be easily undone either and kept his cool, passing the bitter examination with flying colours. Jaitley was also not undone even as Swamy questioned his every move. This rivalry too started when he found a legal loophole to deny the payment of his dues over a case he argued. Ever since, <a href="https://theprint.in/politics/subramanian-swamys-rivalry-with-arun-jaitley-goes-back-to-1993-iit-delhi-salary-row/219800/">he accused Jaitley </a>of being a Congress insider, instigator or a coup and much more. When Jaitley did try to clamp him over discipline, Swamy retorted, “People giving me unasked for advice of discipline and restraint don’t realise that if I disregard discipline there would be a bloodbath.” Jaitley wisely never rose to the bait, like a seasoned solider who picks his battles. Jaitley may be no more but the way he deftly maneuvered India's labyrinth political space will provide lessons in the art of the possible. In a world where friendships are forged with secrets and power, Jaitley was everyone’s confidante, philosopher, and guide. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India's 'supermom' Sushma Swaraj, the lady who redefined the country's Foreign Ministry, is no more</a>

Arun Jaitley, every big man's friend, passes away at the age of 66-- leaving behind lessons in the 'art of the possible'

<keyword id="6355111" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sushma-Swaraj">Sushma Swaraj</keyword> passes away due to cardiac arrest on Tuesday, August 7, 2019. Perhaps this is one of the widely tweeted news during the recent times. Serving as the external affairs minister in the 2014 Modi government, Sushma Swaraj is credited with the salutation that she was the most accessible external affairs minister the country has seen so far. With a long list of crucial helps extended to people during difficult situations, Sushma Swaraj created a special benchmark to her office as well as personal profile during her tenure. Here are a few interesting facts about Sushma Swaraj that will make you admire her even more. Birth of Sushma Swaraj Sushma Swaraj was born to Hardev Sharma and Shrimati Laxmi Devi in Ambala Cantt, Haryana on 14 February 1952. Had connections with Pakistan’s soil Her parents hailed from the Lahore region of Pakistan in a place called Dharampura. Sushma hence has some intimate connection with the Pakistan’s soils. She visited this place during her last visit to Pakistan. Education Sushma received her collegiate education from Sanatan Dharma College in Ambala Cantonment. She completed her bachelor’s degree from here with majors in Political science and Sanskrit. She too studied law at Chandigarh in the Punjab University. She was a distinguished student As a student in Sanatan Dharma College, she received the best cadet award in N.C.C. for three consecutive years. She also received the best Speaker in Hindi for three consecutive years organized by the Language Department of Haryana. An all-rounder Sushma Swaraj had a flair for music, drama, fine arts and poetry. In fact she had also given some of her notable accomplishments in these areas during her life. Hence people called her an all-rounder. Her life partner Sushma Swaraj was wedded to <keyword id="1828626" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Swaraj-Kaushal">Swaraj Kaushal</keyword> during the times of emergency on July 13, 1973. The Supreme Court of India credited Swaraj Kaushal with the title ‘Senior Advocate’ as early as when he was 34 years old. Swaraj Kaushal also served as the Mizoram Governor from February 1990 to February 1993. She was the youngest cabinet minister When she took charge as the cabinet minister in the Janata Party Government of Chief Minister Devi Lal in 1977, she was the youngest one to occupy that position at the age of 25. She liberated the Indian film industry When Sushma Swaraj served as the Union Cabinet Minister for Broadcasting in 1988, she declared the film making sector as an industry that gave it the eligibility to receive bank finance. Strong believer of astrology and gemology Sushma believed in astrology and gemology to the core. She dressed, ate and practiced life as per the guidelines of these sciences. She was easily accessible via tweet Sushma was one of the most tech-savvy ministers the country had seen. She was known to help people during their difficult times. She was reachable via tweet anytime and every time. She was perhaps the quickest in reaching out to people and helping them even in distant lands.

Unknown facts about Sushma Swaraj

<ul><li>Former External Affairs Minister <keyword id="6355111" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sushma-Swaraj">Sushma Swaraj</keyword> passed away on 6 August in All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. </li><li>The final rites would be performed at Lodhi Road Crematorium at 3 pm on Wednesday. </li><li>The BJP leader had refused to context the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 citing health reasons.</li></ul>Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms">passed away</a> due to cardiac arrest on 6 August, Tuesday. The mortal remains will be taken to the party headquarters at 12 pm today. “And the final rites would be performed at Lodhi Road crematorium at 3 pm,” Zee News <a href="https://zeenews.india.com/india/sushma-swarajs-funeral-and-last-rites-at-delhis-lodhi-road-crematorium-2225411.html">reported</a> citing JP Nadda, BJP President. The BJP leader died at the age of 67 at Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). In her last tweet, Swaraj lauded <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> over the decision on Kashmir, calling it “bold and ironic”. Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime, she said. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="SushmaSwaraj" handlename="Sushma Swaraj" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/959220898417950720/Ij9WNV0g_normal.jpg" favoritecount="233852" retweetcount="55648" status="प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi… https://t.co/ZoP1vYYETM" createdat="1565099604000" id="1158737840752037889"></div>



 Swaraj’s sudden demise came as a shock to Indian politics and its leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President <keyword id="6354561" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="ram-nath-kovind">Ram Nath Kovind</keyword>, Congress’ Rahul Gandhi and others also expressed their grief. “Sushma ji’s demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My thoughts are with her family, supporters and admirers in this very unfortunate hour. Om Shanti." Modi tweeted last night. 
	<div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1134082549041393672/QbihPzrL_normal.png" favoritecount="120485" retweetcount="25147" status="Sushma Ji’s demise is a personal loss. She will be remembered fondly for everything that she’s done for India. My t… https://t.co/EA0y0huas8" createdat="1565114991000" id="1158802378998419457"></div>



 
	<div type="twitter" handle="RahulGandhi" handlename="Rahul Gandhi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/974851878860312582/O-Zn2b72_normal.jpg" favoritecount="46614" retweetcount="6872" status="I’m shocked to hear about the demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator &amp; an e… https://t.co/smO1haZJ4r" createdat="1565115719000" id="1158805433294868481"></div>


 
	<div type="twitter" handle="rashtrapatibhvn" handlename="President of India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/921303478684790784/FLIFCZxh_normal.jpg" favoritecount="22833" retweetcount="3600" status="Extremely shocked to hear of the passing of Smt Sushma Swaraj. The country has lost a much loved leader who epitomi… https://t.co/ctXAg7oQVQ" createdat="1565115854000" id="1158805999437799424"></div>


 Earlier, the BJP leader had refused to contest the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 citing health reasons. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms">India's 'supermom' Sushma Swaraj, the lady who redefined the country's Foreign Ministry, is no more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/narendra-modi-2-0-union-cabinet-portfolios-announced/articleshow/69594372.cms">Narendra Modi announces Union Cabinet portfolio</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/pm-narendra-modi-new-cabinet-list-2019-council-of-ministers/articleshow/69584544.cms">Meet the new cabinet ministers in the Modi government 2.0</a>

Sushma Swaraj’s funeral will be held at Lodhi Road in Delhi today

The mortal remains of former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday reached the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters from his residence in Kailash Colony here for people to pay their tributes. The BJP stalwart's mortal remains reached the party headquarters in a military vehicle decked with flowers at around 10.58 a.m. Several BJP leaders and family members accompanied the convoy carrying Jaitley's mortal remains. Senior party leaders, including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, paid tribute to Jaitley by offering flowers to his body packed in a red colour casket. Jaitley's mortal remains were kept at the Central Hall of the BJP headquarters where it will be kept till around 2 p.m., and then it will be moved to Nigam Bodh Ghat for the last rites, party sources told IANS. Jaitley passed away at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Saturday due to a prolonged illness. He was 66. India’s former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley passed away after sustained illness at the age of 66 after an impressive political career spanning decades when he never won an election but was always relevant and maintained his deep influence in Indian politics. Jaitley, along with the former Foreign Minister, the late Sushma Swaraj -- <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">who passed away earlier this month</a>-- were instrumental in keeping the Bharatiya Janata Party relevant, as an opposition party, in the ten years preceding 2014 when Narendra Modi swept to power as India's Prime Minister. With inputs from IANS SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/news/arun-jaitley-a-detailed-profile-and-history-of-indias-former-finance-minister-who-had-many-friends-and-few-enemies/articleshow/70815608.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Arun Jaitley, every big man's friend, passes away at the age of 66-- leaving behind lessons in the 'art of the possible'</a>

The last rites of India's former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be performed today

<ul><li>84-year old Pranab Mukherjee spent his entire political career spanning decades as a member of the Congress Party.</li><li>However, he was respected across all parties for his political acumen. </li><li>Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, who belongs to the rival BJP, hailed the former President as an "outstanding statesman of our times". </li></ul> Former President of India Pranab Mukherjee received the country's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, at the age of 84. While Mukherjee spent his entire political career spanning decades as a member of the Congress Party, he was respected across party lines. The current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who belongs to the rival Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has hailed Mukherjee as an "outstanding statesman of our times". Mukerjee's term as President of India, a post enabled by the Congress, ended in 2017. His successor President Ram Nath Kovind presented the award in a ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President's residence, today (August 8) in the presence of the country's top leaders. <div type="Youtube" id="KYdI9dYW-as" title="President Kovind presents Bharat Ratna to Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KYdI9dYW-as/mqdefault.jpg"></div>

 Mukherjee, a long-term Congress loyalist, has been among the senior-most ministers in many governments from the one headed by Indira Gandhi to her son Rajiv Gandhi followed by Narasimha Rao and most recently under Manmohan Singh between 2004 and 2014. Known for his ability to strike a deal, Mukherjee played crucial roles in breaking many political deadlocks. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sushma-swaraj-indias-former-foreign-minister-passes-away-at-the-age-of-67/articleshow/70561044.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">India's 'supermom' Sushma Swaraj, the lady who redefined the country's Foreign Ministry, is no more</a>

Watch India's former President Pranab Mukherjee receive the country's highest civilian honour

<keyword id="6354814" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="prime-minister-Narendra-Modi">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</keyword>’s brainchild - The <keyword id="2630655" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="International-Day-of-Yoga">International Day of Yoga</keyword> has found acceptance with <keyword id="509209" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="UN-Secretary-General-Ban-Ki-moon">UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon</keyword> as he said Yoga only helps bring a "simple sense of satisfaction. 
 
Ban recalls that it took him a while to gain balance when he tried yoga for the first time in Delhi, but he soon felt it was accessible for anyone. 
 
"And yoga does not discriminate; to varying degrees, all people can practise, regardless of their relative strength, age or ability. I discovered this for myself on trying to do my first asana, a tree pose suited to beginners. It took a moment for me to gain my balance, but once I did, I appreciated the simple sense of satisfaction that yoga can bring," the UN chief said. 
 
In celebrating June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, the UN General Assembly has recognized the "holistic benefits of this timeless practice and its inherent compatibility with the principles and values of the United Nations," Ban said. 
 
"Yoga offers a simple, accessible and inclusive means to promote physical and spiritual health and well-being. It promotes respect for one's fellow human beings and for the planet we share," he said. 
 
Ban asked the nations to "see the benefits of this practice in terms of individual well-being, as well as our collective efforts to improve public health, promote peaceful relations and usher in a life of dignity for all." 
 
The 193-member UNGA adopted the resolution to celebrate June 21 as International Day of Yoga was accepted in record time, and a record 177 countries co-sponsored the India-led resolution. 
 
Huge preparations are afoot across USA to celebrate the day with India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expected to head the celebrations at the UN and Times Square. 
 
(Image credit: Indiatimes)

UN Secretary General affirms
Yoga only brings ‘satisfaction’

Last week’s eviction of the <keyword id="14666" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="BJP">BJP</keyword>’s trimurti – <keyword id="47100" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Atal-Bihari-Vajpayee">Atal Bihari Vajpayee</keyword>, <keyword id="58476" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Murli-Manohar-Joshi">Murli Manohar Joshi</keyword> and <keyword id="50272" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lal-Krishna-Advani">Lal Krishna Advani</keyword> – from the party’s parliamentary board marked the final nail in the coffin of their political career. Their exit means an end of an era, which should have been more graceful and dignified. Instead of sacking them from the membership of the parliamentary board, they should have been allowed to fade away or kept as ‘honorary members.’ 
 Leaders from the opposition have started taking a dig at this decision. Recently, Congress leader and former Cabinet minister Manish Tewari said that this recent development clearly indicates that the “process of complete centralisation of power in one hand.” Another Congress leader Rashid Alvi said, “The <keyword id="2490292" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Margdarshak-Mandal">Margdarshak Mandal</keyword> is a ‘mookdarshak mandal.’ It is like an old-age home from where Advani and Joshi will witness the functioning of the BJP like mutes.” 
 
Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, LK Advani and MM Joshi were the pivots around which the party was built. Their role in building the BJP is unquestionable. They helped propel the party, from an insignificant political player with just two Lok Sabha MPs in the 1984 elections, to the single-largest party in 1996. 
 
Vajpayee, often referred to as the Bheeshm Pitamah of Indian politics, was the founder president of the party, and Advani and Joshi were general secretaries. Vajpayee was the party’s chief orator, statesman, and the most acceptable and respectable face of the party. 
 
Advani was the organiser and charioteer, who organised movements to propagate BJP’s core ideology of Hindutva. His Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya was crucial in building the Ram Temple movement and helped BJP form a government in the country’s largest state of Uttar Pradesh, thereby bringing the party into the mainstream politics. Advani was also a talent-spotter. He nurtured a pool of second-rung leaders, which ironically included Modi, besides Arun Jaitley, Sushma Swaraj, Ananth Kumar and others. 
 Joshi, a PhD in Spectroscopy from <keyword id="6364092" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Allahabad-University">Allahabad University</keyword>, was the intellectual face of the party. He was the key man behind the process of manifesto preparation and policy formulation of the party. 
 Alongside the rise in the stature of Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword>, there has been a steady and parallel decline in the fortunes of party stalwarts MM Joshi and LK Advani. Unlike Vajpayee, who is ailing, both the leaders are still fit and active politicians whose vast political experience and acumen could have been used by the party. However, their eviction from the parliamentary board – the party’s highest decision-making body – can only be attributed to Modi’s attempt at complete centralisation of power and further strengthen his stranglehold on the party by undermining the leaders taller than him. 
 On the contrary, other political parties are giving their seniors due respect. For instance, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) continued with veteran leader <keyword id="2502752" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Harkishan-Singh-Surjit">Harkishan Singh Surjit</keyword> as the party’s general secretary till 2005 and the party came up with its best ever performance so far by winning 43 seats. He was also a member of the party's Politburo till 2008, when he died at the age of 92. Even in the Congress, where many leaders complain of being sidelined to give way to Rahul Gandhi, <keyword id="219946" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Motilal-Vora">Motilal Vora</keyword> (86) is still the party’s treasurer and also a member of the Congress Working Committee. 
 
It is sad to see that the BJP, which talks about Hindutva, seems to have forgotten that giving due respect to elders is the essence of the Hindu culture and the Hindu society reposes great faith in the wisdom of elders.

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India's 'supermom' Sushma Swaraj, the lady who redefined the country's Foreign Ministry, is no more

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Sushma Swaraj’s funeral will be held at Lodhi Road in Delhi today

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The last rites of India's former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will be performed today

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Watch India's former President Pranab Mukherjee receive the country's highest civilian honour

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UN Secretary General affirms Yoga only brings ‘satisfaction’

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BJP’s Founding Forefathers Reduced To ‘Mookdarshak’

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