Sushma Swaraj death: Cremation at 3pm on Wednesday

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Sushma Swaraj death: Cremation at 3pm on Wednesday
Sushma Swaraj death: Cremation at 3pm on Wednesday

New Delhi : Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest on Tuesday night. She was admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.

While her mortal remains were kept at her residence overnight, they will be taken to Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters at around 12 noon, the cremation will be done on Wednesday at 3pm.

Leaders from all across the world condoled her sudden demise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj as a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor.

Minutes after her death, PM Modi posted a series of tweets saying, "A glorious chapter in Indian politics comes to an end. India grieves the demise of a remarkable leader who devoted her life to public service and bettering lives of the poor. Sushma Swaraj Ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people."

Union Minister Piyush Goyal said, "passing away of Sushma ji is an irreparable loss. People of the country will remember her contribution for a long time. Whenever any Indian got into trouble, didi took care of it herself, even when it came to the return of a single nurse from abroad."

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "Deeply shocked to learn of the passing away of Smt Sushma Swaraj. Difficult to accept this news. The whole nation grieves, the Foreign Ministry even more so."

BJP leader and former union minister Arun Jaitley said, "Saddened, pained and broken on the demise of Sushmaji. She was one of the most outstanding politicians in the Present Era. She distinguished in all positions. She held Senior Positions with the Party, NDA Govt. & while in opposition. She leaves behind a void which is difficult to fill."

"When I came back from Parliament today, I saw Sushma Swaraj's tweet on Article 370 revoked and then news came that she is no more. I've no words," said Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

"Saddened by the demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj Ji - Former External affairs Minister. I pray for the departed soul. My condolences to family members. Om Shanti...," Vijay Rupani said.

"My deepest condolences to the government and the people of India on the passing of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. I had many fruitful and useful discussions with her while she held office, and am saddened by her sudden passing," Foreign Minister of Iran Javad Zarif said.

"I’m saddened to hear of the untimely demise of @SushmaSwaraj, Senior BJP leader & former Foreign Minister of India. My deepest condolences to the people & government of India on the loss of a distinguished public figure who represented her country w/ distinction & determination," Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Salahuddin Rabbani tweeted.

Born on February 14, 1953, in Ambala Cantt, Sushma Swaraj's father was a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) member. She began her political career with Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad in the 1970s.

In her last tweet, at 7:23 pm, Swaraj posted: “Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.” Her tweet was in reference to Lok Sabha abrogating Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir and converting the state into two Union territories — J&K and Ladakh.