When news broke of India’s former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj 67, had died  due to cardiac arrest, the county of over a billion plus people stood still from shock.

Swaraj was considered one of the most accomplished politicians India has ever had.
It was difficult to fathom that one of the most powerful, revered, respected and highly accomplished politicians who worked in Prime Minister Narendra’s Modi’s administration and who was considered the backbone to many international policies, laws and decisions affecting a billion plus people, was no more.

Swaraj’s sudden passing has left a strong void in the world of Indian politics. She leaves behind a husband, daughter and grandchildren.

“A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted when Swaraj died on August 6.

“It was an honor to meet her,” tweeted Ivanka Trump the day the news of Swaraj’s passing was announced.

Swaraj was born in Haryana on February 14, 1952 and grew up in a politically influential family. Her father Hardev Sharma was a  prominent Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (Hindu nationalist organization) member and as a young child, Swaraj was often in the presence of leaders, political party members and influential politicians early in her childhood.

In 1977, Swaraj became the youngest ever Cabinet Minister in the Government of Haryana at the age of 25. She than paralleled  her career as both a politician and lawyer into a very successful one focusing on fighting for causes dear to her heart.

Swaraj later attended law school at Panjab University in Chandigarh and went on to practice law in the Supreme Court of India, an extremely prestigious and rare position for women.

Swaraj’s ability to speak perfect Hindi, the national language of India, was one of her many talents and noteworthy qualities. She was often praised for her oratory skills both in India and abroad in the  international political scene which included her annual trip to the United Nations Summit Week in NY. Swaraj was also an awesome negotiator which the world watched and applauded.

Swaraj believed in communicating and did so well. Whether it was at the United Nations addressing global leaders and the country’s biggest allies about the accomplishments of India or posting tweets to her more than 13 million Twitter followers, the tech & social media savvy politician proved by having open lines of communication in whatever form, can be beneficial to all.  Her social media skills (especially with the millennials) also won the love of millions of Indians who often retweeted her postings.

Swaraj would often assist Indians stuck overseas in visa situations or who needed diplomatic assistance to come back to India, through Twitter dialogs and tweets. Swaraj believed in helping people in what ever capacity she could and her influential status gave her international admiration and created strong friendships with world leaders and foreign politicians.

Besides politics and law, Swaraj was also known for her stylish and very fashionable saris and jackets. Each beautiful silk sari would have its own special matching jacket which made a fashion statement both in India and overseas. Her special custom made jackets were part of her daily ensemble which eventually became part of her trademark.

Swaraj will be remembered for so many accomplishments but one thing that will be part of her legacy is her refusal to yield to pressure from anyone including foreign leaders, diplomats and Indian politicians. She fought for the common man and convinced women to come out of their homes to vote and have a say. She was the fearless leader who never saw defeat and welcomed new and exciting challenges that made India and its people a powerful country. Sushma Swaraj will always be remembered for her relentless devotion and zealous fight for India and that will never change.

Jai Hind.