India lost one of its greatest leaders on August 6 (Tuesday). Sushma Swaraj passed away at 67 after suffering a heart attack in the evening. She was brought to AIIMS at around 10:15 PM and was straight away admitted to the emergency ward. She had a kidney transplant in the year 2016 and had also opted out of contesting Lok Sabha polls previously this year for health reasons.
Sushma Swaraj was a significant link between the government and the people. In fact, many political observers viewed Swaraj as a great challenger to PM Narendra Modi in the first couple of months of the government. Regarded as the top minister during Modi government’s first spell, Sushma Swaraj did not contest this year Lok Sabha elections and also preferred to sit out of the government on account of her health.
Not only Indians but even people from Pakistan shared their love for Sushma Swaraj. With her sudden demise last night, Swaraj will be missed by both the Indians and Pakistanis.
Sushma Swaraj’s parents are from Dharampura area of Lahore, Pakistan? Sushma Swaraj also visited Dharampura during her last trip to Pakistan.
Here are seven reasons why both Indians and Pakistanis will miss Sushma Swaraj:
1.When Sushma Swaraj granted Visa to a Pakistani’s ailing father
In October 2017, despite both countries developing hatred against each other, Sushma Swaraj set a classic example that humanity is above everything else in the world as she granted quick visas to two Pakistani nationals, who were in desperate need of liver transplant surgeries.
She was praised in both countries by citizens. Swaraj had also announced that two more Pakistani citizens will be granted visa for their treatment in India.
2. A memorable Diwali gift for a Pakistani child:
In October, last year, when a child required immediate medical attention as he was suffering from a ‘liver ailment’ got his visa request sanctioned immediately after his father tweeted to Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj.
His father, Kashif Chacha requested Sushma Swaraj on Twitter to grant the medical visa for the treatment of Abdullah, adding that he needed post-liver transplant evaluation in India.
“The treatment of your child must not suffer for want of medicine. I have asked the Indian High Commission to issue a medical visa. @ChachaKashif,” the minister said on the micro-blogging site.
3. When Sushma gave a Kashmiri a savage reply and a solution
In May 2018, Sheikh Ateeq (Kashmiri student) pursuing medicine in the Philippines had requested for issuing new passport as his old passport got damaged.
He needed to get back to his ‘home, India’ as he was under the weather. His health started deteriorating as well.
The student tweeted: “I m from j&k doing medicine course here in Philippines my passport got damaged i applied for new one 1 month ago i request u plz help me get it as i literally need to go home for medical check up (sic).”
Surprisingly, his Facebook profile read that he was from ‘Indian Occupied Kashmir’ (IOK). To which, Sushma gave a savage reply to him and a solution.
“If you are from J&K state, we will definitely help you. But your profile says you are from ‘Indian occupied Kashmir’. There is no place like that.”
4. When she permitted son to meet his mother:
On October 26, Fahad Ijaz hailing from Pakistan tagged Sushma Swaraj and wrote in a Twitter post, “For God’s sake, please help me. My mother is admitted to Fortis Noida. She is unwell. Please give me a visa.” However, the tweet got a response from the minister in less than eight hours.
“You will get a visa to see your ailing mother,” Sushma tweeted at 5.44 am on October 27.
She granted the visa to Fahad Ijaz who wanted to meet his mother, Farzana, who had previously been given visa for treatment.
5. She helped the athlete at the right time:
In November 2017, Jhalak Tomar, a professional boxer who had won the bronze medal in the 54 kg weight category at the Junior Women’s National Boxing Championship, was stuck as she didn’t have the passport to take part in an international boxing tournament called ‘Valeria Demyanova Memorial’ in Ukraine.
The boxer requested the minister and she helped her in no time but took just one promise from her that she would win a medal for India.
6. She saved woman trafficked to Dubai.
In April 2018, a Hyderabad woman, who was allegedly trafficked to Dubai and then later to Oman has been rescued. The victim narrated her ordeal where she was taken to Dubai on the pretext of a job offer, but she was tortured, harassed and then sold to Sheikh and was also taken to Bahrain.
She also explained her terrible experience to her mother, her family complained about the whole incident the Indian embassy in Muscat and she was finally rescued.
“I was finally rescued and I would like to thank EAM Sushma Swaraj and Indian Embassy,” added the victim.
7. Pakistani woman wished India on Independence Day, Sushma made sure that she gets treatment
A Pakistani woman identified as Faiza Tanveer had requested Sushma Swaraj to grant her a medical visa by adding that she should be given help as India is about to celebrate its 70th Independence Day.
The external affairs minister, in reply, conveyed the decision of granting the medical visa to her and then she tweeted, “Thanks for your greetings on India’s Independence Day. We are giving you a visa for your treatment in India.”
Reportedly, Faiza was suffering from Ameloblastoma (an oral tumour) and wanted to get treatment from India.