Sushma Swaraj Birth Anniversary 2024: Some lesser known facts about India's "best-loved politician"

Sushma Swaraj. File Pic,

February 14, marks the birth anniversary of late Sushma Swaraj, who is also called India's "best-loved politician". Apart from being a politician, known for her fiercy speeches in the Parliament, Swaraj was also a lawyer. Born in 1952 in Ambala, Haryana, Swaraj earned accolades in her life by becoming first female Chief Minister of Delhi, second person to complete a 5-year term as the Minister of External Affairs of India and many more.

On the occasion of her birth anniversary, let's know some of the lesser know facts of Sushma Swaraj.

First female Spokesperson of a national political party

Sushma Swaraj has many firsts to her credit as BJP's first female Chief Minister, Union Cabinet Minister, general secretary, National spokesperson, Leader of Opposition and first female Minister of External Affairs to complete five year term. She is also the first-ever and only female MP honoured with the Outstanding Parliamentarian Award.

At the young age of 21, Swaraj started her practice as an advocate in the Supreme Court of India. However, she was active in politics since 1970. In her lifetime, Sushma Swaraj was elected seven times as a Member of Parliament and three times as a Member of the Legislative Assembly. At the age of 25 in 1977, she had become the youngest cabinet minister of Haryana.

She was an active participant in Jayaprakash Narayan's Total Revolution Movement and after the Emergency, joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Since then, Swaraj's never looked back and went on to work with BJP's national leader and a strong woman politician, inspiring many young woman politicians in India.

Remembered as one of the best Hindi Speakers

Sushma Swaraj is often remembered for linguistic abilities and fiercy speeches in the Parliament. She had strong command on Hindi language. She was a keen reader of poetry and literature. Notably, in a state-level competition held by the Language Department of Haryana, Swaraj won the best Hindi Speaker award for three consecutive years. She studied law at Punjab University. She also earned a bachelor's degree from S.D College, Haryana, in Sanskrit and Political Science in 1970, where she received Best Student Award.

She served as the President of the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in Haryana for four years. She also received Best Speaker award by the Haryana State assembly. As BJP's national spokesperson, she skillfully presented the party's views and engaged in debates, contributing to the party's communication strategy. The legacy of communication stragergies she left behind, still continues with BJP.

Sushma Swaraj serves as a role model for young and aspiring politicians, specially women who want to carve their way into complex Indian politics, fight against the odds and serve the people.