Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Sushma Swaraj, a Padma Vibhushan laureate and former Union Minister of External Affairs and one of India’s most adored and esteemed political personalities. Because of her unshakable nationalism, empathy-driven diplomacy, and revolutionary journey as a woman in Indian politics, her memory continues to inspire both leaders and civilians.
Leaders Remember Sushma Swaraj
On August 6, 2025, tributes poured in from across the political spectrum, with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari posting on X, “On the remembrance day of Padma Vibhushan Sushma Swaraj ji, senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party and former Union Minister, heartfelt tributes to her.”
🪷 भारतीय जनता पार्टी की वरिष्ठ नेता, पूर्व केंद्रीय मंत्री पद्म विभूषण सुषमा स्वराज जी के स्मृति दिवस पर उन्हें विनम्र अभिवादन।🙏🏻#सुषमा_स्वराज#SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/DmTAR6xu9p
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) August 6, 2025
Her daughter and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj also shared an emotional note on social media, capturing the deep personal loss she still feels, “Six years have passed, Ma… Yet even today, my eyes instinctively search for you, in the crowd, in pictures of Parliament, at every turn where, if you were there, you would hold me.
“Six years have passed, Ma… Yet with every achievement, my heart first seeks your eyes, because the praise from your gaze was always my greatest victory. Six years have passed, Ma… But you still echo in every heartbeat, walking with me as strength in every struggle. My path is still illuminated by your blessings. Miss you, Ma!”
छह बरस हो गए माँ…
पर आज भी अनायास ही आँखें आपको ढूँढ लेती हैं, भीड़ में, संसद की तस्वीरों में, हर उस मोड़ पर जहाँ आप होतीं तो मुझे थाम लेतीं।छह बरस हो गए माँ…
पर हर उपलब्धि पर दिल सबसे पहले आपकी आँखें तलाशता है, क्योंकि आपकी नज़र से मिली शाबाशी ही मेरी सबसे बड़ी जीत होती थी।… pic.twitter.com/CDHbOq01nr— Bansuri Swaraj (@BansuriSwaraj) August 5, 2025
A Revolutionary Foreign Minister
From 2014 until 2019, Sushma Swaraj made history as India’s first full-time female External Affairs Minister. During her tenure, Sushma Sawraj transformed Indian diplomacy by making it more flexible, human-centered, and personable.
Swaraj was the first to utilize Twitter as a diplomatic weapon and spoke with Indians in need overseas. Her lightning-fast responses to distress calls grabbed headlines. Whether it was aiding students who were stuck abroad, victims of Gulf job frauds, or even giving Pakistani people emergency medical visas.
Once perceived as a bureaucratic fortress, Sushma Sawraj humanised the Ministry of External Affairs by showing empathy and urgency in her actions.
Operation Rahat: A Defining Moment
In 2015, India executed Operation Rahat, which was one of the most complex evacuation missions in recent history. Over 4,600 Indians and nearly 1,000 foreign nationals were rescued from war-ravaged Yemen. The operation demonstrated her strategic coordination with the Indian Armed Forces and foreign missions.
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Understanding the grassroots need for passport services, Sawraj launched Passport Seva Kendras in post offices, which eventually improved access on a rural scale. The initiative was a game-changer for civilians who previously had to travel long distances for basic services.
Standing Strong at the Global Stage
With unparalleled composure and clarity, Swaraj represented India in the UN General Assembly and other international gatherings. She vehemently supported India’s position against terrorism across borders, particularly from Pakistan. Her calm yet forceful lectures received praise from all around the world for their dignity and content.
The path taken by Sushma Swaraj was truly groundbreaking. She was only 25 years old when she was appointed Haryana’s youngest cabinet minister. She went on to become Delhi’s first female chief minister and a symbol of strength, particularly for women who wanted to go into politics.
Her Legacy Lives On
The legacy of Sushma Swaraj extends beyond politics. She cracked glass ceilings for women in leadership, introduced compassion into governance, and established new standards in diplomacy. Both the light she left behind and the vacuum she left behind are still very much felt six years after her death.
Her daughter, Bansuri, who now follows in her footsteps, and the country are still guided by her memories.
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