Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj was a very affable personality and a popular face of the Bharatiya Janata Party (Inside pages, “A BJP stalwart with Socialist roots”, August 7). In her stint as foreign Minister, her untiring efforts were what helped a number of Indians stranded abroad being brought back safely. An excellent orator, her speeches had a great impact.
V. HariHaran,
Chennai
Ms. Swaraj will be remembered as a model of how an External Affairs Minister should function. She won the hearts of countless overseas Indians, particularly the NRI blue-collar worker in distress. She was an embodiment of compassion and a decent politician. At a time when the ruling dispensation is intent on implementing its agenda by hook or by crook, it is unfortunate that the country has lost a senior leader who was also a balanced thinker.
Tharcius S. Fernando,
Chennai
There is no doubt that Ms. Swaraj projected a very high image of India at the global level. There was a touch of humanism in all her functions. She was a people’s minister all through.
C.P. Chandra Das,
Collierville, Tennessee, U.S.
Ms. Swaraj was an able administrator, stateswoman and an adept parliamentarian. Kerala will remember her efforts in 2014, in rescuing 46 nurses who were held captive by the Islamic State. Without her intervention the operation would not have been possible. Governments and ministers may change but Ms. Swaraj will live on in the hearts of every Indian.
Georgil K. Jeemon,
Pallikara, Ernakulam, Kerala
Over and above her administrative acumen, Ms. Swaraj will be fondly remembered for her humaneness during her stint as Minister. She was not only instrumental in arranging for the homecoming of several stranded Indians but also displayed a mother’s touch by facilitating medical visas for ailing Pakistanis.
S. Vaithianathan,
Madurai
