Highlights: End of an era; Sushma Swaraj cremated with full state honours

By oneindia staff

| Updated: Thursday, August 8, 2019, 15:28 [IST]

New Delhi, Aug 07: Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away on Tuesday evening due to a heart attack, was cremated on Wednesday. Her mortal remains were first kept at her home for the people who wanted to pay tributes till 12 noon today. From 12 - 3 pm, her remains were kept at the BJP headquarters. She was cremated at Lodhi Crematorium in Delhi.

She was someone who commanded respect across party lines and was a dignified politician. The moment the news of her demise broke on news channels, twitter was flooded with condolence messages, such was her persona and such was her popularity. Among many hats she donned and many posts she held, Swaraj was also the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi.

Stay tuned for the LIVE updates:

Newest First Oldest First

4:42 PM, 7 Aug

The veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader died Tuesday night following a massive cardiac arrest. She was cremated at an electric crematorium a short while ago. From PM Modi to Ghulam Nabi Azad, from LK Advani to former Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay, leaders cutting across party lines were present at the Lodhi Crematorium this evening.

4:32 PM, 7 Aug

Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away on Tuesday evening due to a heart attack, was cremated on Wednesday. Her mortal remains were first kept at her home for the people who wanted to pay tributes till 12 noon today. From 12 - 3 pm, her remains were kept at the BJP headquarters. She was cremated at Lodhi Crematorium in Delhi.

4:27 PM, 7 Aug

Sushma Swaraj cremated at the electric crematorium.

4:27 PM, 7 Aug

The former External Affairs Minister accorded state honours.

4:23 PM, 7 Aug

Delhi: PM Narendra Modi, Senior BJP leader LK Advani, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at Lodhi Crematorium. #SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/Lnl9KbNo7X
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019

Sushma Swaraj funeral:

4:20 PM, 7 Aug

Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay is sitting to the right of PM Modi while LK Advani is sitting to the left. Profound grief clearly visible on the faces of the people at the crematorium.

4:15 PM, 7 Aug

Expressing profound grief, Amit Shah earlier today said this: The untimely demise of Sushma Swaraj had left him as well as millions of party workers and her admirers in a state of shock, Union home minister and BJP president Amit Shah said on Wednesday, as he remembered the departed leader's stints in various positions in the opposition and in different governments. Speaking to reporters after paying his last respects to Swaraj at her residence here, Shah said as the external affairs minister in the first term of the Narendra Modi government, Swaraj had enhanced the country's reputation across the world and her death had left a void which would be hard to fill.

4:14 PM, 7 Aug

Sushma Swaraj's body is now being taken away for cremation.

4:13 PM, 7 Aug

Former MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu pay their last tribute to Sushma Swaraj.

4:09 PM, 7 Aug

PM Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah and LS Speaker Om Birla have paid their last respects to Sushma Swaraj. Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay also present at Lodhi crematorium for the last rites of Sushma Swaraj. BJP Veteran LK Advani lays the wreath at his protege. Earlier today, he had said, "I am deeply distressed at the untimely demise of one of my closest colleagues, Sushma Swaraj ji.”

4:01 PM, 7 Aug

Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, who passed away on Tuesday evening dueto a heart attack, would be cremated shortly. Her mortal remains were first kept at her home for the people who wanted to pay tributes till 12 noon today. From 12 - 3 pm, her remains were kept at the BJP headquarters. Here pyre would be lit anytime now.

3:55 PM, 7 Aug

Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, performs her last rites

3:54 PM, 7 Aug

Sushma Swaraj's mortal remains reach Lodhi Crematorium. PM Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and former Bhutan PM Tshering Tobgay along with many other emminent leaders present at Lodhi crematorium.

3:31 PM, 7 Aug

A short while ago, Bansuri Swaraj and Swaraj Kaushal, daughter and husband of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, salute as the state honours are accorded to the late leaders.

3:29 PM, 7 Aug

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be present at the Lodhi Road crematorium in New Delhi for the last rites.

3:29 PM, 7 Aug

BJP leaders and union ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, S Jaishankar and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan are present.

3:29 PM, 7 Aug

Mortal remains of Sushma Swaraj are being taken away from BJP Headquarters to the Lodhi Road crematorium in New Delhi.

3:20 PM, 7 Aug

Last rites of our senior leader and India's former External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj. https://t.co/XoaMgbCemN
— BJP (@BJP4India) August 7, 2019

Sushma Swaraj's final journey:

3:19 PM, 7 Aug

Rajnath Singh, JP Nadda, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Piyush Goyal and other BJP leaders give shoulder to mortal remains of Sushma Swaraj.

3:18 PM, 7 Aug

Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj wrapped in tricolour at BJP headquarters in Delhi being taken to Lodhi crematorium in Delhi.

3:17 PM, 7 Aug

I offer my prayers & my condolences at this difficult time. Sushma Swaraj enjoyed immense respect for her compassionate concern for people&her friendly demeanour. In devoting herself to service of others, she led a very meaningful life, says Tibetan Spiritual leader Dalai Lama.

2:55 PM, 7 Aug

Today, the US Mission to India mourns the passing of Sushma Swaraj. Minister Swaraj was greatly respected & viewed as an outstanding representative of the Indian people, both at home and abroad, condolence message by US Embassy in Delhi.

2:54 PM, 7 Aug

RSS condolence message: She was an ideal worker, skillful, capable and effective as minister. She would remain etched in our memories forever.

2:50 PM, 7 Aug

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on #SushmaSwaraj: She was happy with the recent historic development in the nation, as she expressed before she left us. We express condolences to her family in this moment of grief. pic.twitter.com/y0Fbqirk8X
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2019

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on #SushmaSwaraj:

1:57 PM, 7 Aug

Sushma Swaraj's mortal remain would be kept at the BJP headquarters till 3 pm. Top leaders of the party, including Amit Shah and JP Nadda, pay homage to the veteran leader.

1:51 PM, 7 Aug

Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot and former chief minister Vasundhara Raje condoled the death of senior BJP leader and former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. In his condolence message, Singh said Swaraj was a brave and a visionary leader who always remained available to help the people. "Deeply shocked and saddened to know about the untimely demise of former External Affairs Minister and senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj ji. My heartfelt condolences to her family members, may God give them strength to bear this loss," Gehlot tweeted. Raje said she had lost her elder sister and it was difficult to describe the "shocking news" of Swaraj's demise in words. "Her demise is irreparable loss for not only BJP, but for the country. She was a kind hearted, candid, honest person," Raje, who is also the BJP vice president, said in her condolence message. Pilot said she was an able administrator, articulate speaker and a good human being. "Deeply saddened to learn of Sushma Ji's passing away. I had worked with her in 2004 during the 14th Lok Sabha on the standing committee of home," Pilot posted on Twitter. "Despite being in a different party, she always had my highest respect. We will all miss her presence."

1:45 PM, 7 Aug

NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed his grief yesterday. Sharad Pawar on Tuesday expressed shock over the death of senior BJP leader and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. "Shocked to hear about the sad demise of Sushmaji Swaraj. She would always call me `Sharad Bhau'," Pawar tweeted. "We've lost a great statesman, eloquent orator, efficient administrator, fellow parliamentarian and above all a kind hearted person," Pawar tweeted. Swaraj (67) passed away in Delhi on Tuesday night.

1:39 PM, 7 Aug

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister pays tribute to former Union Minister Sushma Swaraj at party headquarters.

1:35 PM, 7 Aug

I was shocked to hear about the sudden demise of Smt Sushma Swaraj. I have fond memories of my association with her when she was Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha," former prime minister Manmohan Singh said in his condolence message. The former prime minister said Swaraj was highly respected by everybody irrespective of party lines. "She was a great Parliamentarian and exceptionally talented Minister of the Union Government. In her death our country has lost a respected and dedicated leader," he said. Singh had earlier visited Swaraj's residence and paid his last respects.

1:34 PM, 7 Aug

I owe you Re 1, Sushma told India’s ICJ lawyer Salve, hours before death (Click on the image below to read full story)

For senior counsel Harish Salve who fought the Kulbhushan Jadhav case for India in the International Court of Justice, the death os Sushma Swaraj came as a shocker. He said that he had spoken to her at 8.45 pm on Tuesday and she sounded absolutely fine. She even told me that I had to collect the Re 1 fee which I had decided to charge to fight the case. It is a personal loss for me and the entire country, he also said.

11:41 PM, 6 Aug

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi where Former External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, passed away.

11:42 PM, 6 Aug

Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, & Prahalad Singh Patel have also reached AIIMS

11:42 PM, 6 Aug

BJP Working President Jagat Prakash Nadda arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)

11:42 PM, 6 Aug

PM Modi tweeted,''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 & bettering lives of poor. Sushma Swaraj Ji was one of her kind, who was a source of inspiration for crores of people.''

11:55 PM, 6 Aug

Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat & Anurag Thakur have also reached AIIMS

11:55 PM, 6 Aug

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Mahendra Nath Pandey & Shivraj Singh Chouhan have also reached AIIMS

11:55 PM, 6 Aug

Prakash Javadekar, Shahnawaz Hussain, Manoj Tiwari, Mahendra Nath Pandey, and other BJP leaders at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi. #SushmaSwaraj pic.twitter.com/OJJiK4zIpI
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019

Prakash Javadekar, Shahnawaz Hussain, Manoj Tiwari, Mahendra Nath Pandey, and other BJP leaders at AIIMS

12:02 AM, 7 Aug

President Ram Nath Kovind said,''Extremely shocked to hear of the passing of Sushma Swaraj. Country has lost a much loved leader who epitomised dignity,courage&integrity in public life. Ever willing to help others, she'll always be remembered for her service to ppl of India.''

12:02 AM, 7 Aug

Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweets, "Passing away of Sushma Swaraj ji is a great loss to BJP & Indian politics. I pay condolences to her family, supporters, & well-wishers on behalf of all BJP workers."

12:03 AM, 7 Aug

Rahul Gandhi: I’m shocked to hear about demise of Sushma Swaraj Ji, an extraordinary political leader, a gifted orator & an exceptional Parliamentarian, with friendships across party lines. My condolences to her family in this hour of grief. May her soul rest in peace.

12:05 AM, 7 Aug

Mortal remains of Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will be taken from AIIMS to her Delhi residence and will be kept there tonight.

12:05 AM, 7 Aug

Delhi loses two of its former CMs in span of two weeks

: In a soan of two weeks, Delhi lost teo of its former chief ministers. Sheila Dikshit and Sushma Swaraj, both who served as chief ministers of Delhi are no more.

12:12 AM, 7 Aug

Ambassador of France to India said,'' My heartfelt condolences to the family & loved ones of former EAM of India, Sushma Swaraj ji. One of India’s most respected leaders, she showed remarkable dedication to serving her fellow citizens & took the Indo-French relationship to new heights.''

12:13 AM, 7 Aug

Vice Pres M Venkaiah Naidu expressed grief over the untimely demise of Sushma Swaraj. He tweeted,''Deeply shocked by sudden demise of #SushmaSwaraj. Her death is a huge loss to the country & personal loss to me. She was an excellent administrator, outstanding Parliamentarian & a remarkable orator. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family members.''

12:14 AM, 7 Aug

Swaraj had a kidney transplant in 2016 and had opted out of contesting Lok Sabha polls earlier this year for health reasons. She is survived by her husband Swaraj Kaushal and daughter Bansuri.

12:15 AM, 7 Aug

Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress arrives at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi

12:34 AM, 7 Aug

Mortal remains of Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj being taken from All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to her Delhi residence, where they will be kept tonight. pic.twitter.com/mtqihzHCqY
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019

The body of Sushma Swaraj will be kept at the BJP office between 12 noon and 3 pm for people to oay their tributes. Post that the body will be taken to the Lodhi Road crematorium for the last rites.

12:44 AM, 7 Aug

G N Azad, Congress: We're shocked, we never imagined that she'll leave us so soon. I knew her since 1977 when I was in youth Congress, we knew each other for last 42 years. We never called each other by name, she used to call me 'bhai' & I used to call her 'behen'.

12:44 AM, 7 Aug

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

12:44 AM, 7 Aug

#WATCH Union Minister RS Prasad tears up while talking about #SushmaSwaraj; says, "when I came back from Parliament today, I saw her tweet(Swaraj tweeted on Article 370 revoked-"I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime"), & then news came that she is no more. I've no words." pic.twitter.com/M9eLmJjg1i
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019

nion Minister RS Prasad tears up while talking about Sushma Swaraj; says, "when I came back from Parliament today, I saw her tweet(Swaraj tweeted on Article 370 revoked-"I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime"), & then news came that she is no more. I've no words."

12:45 AM, 7 Aug

BJP Working President Jagat Prakash Nadda: Sushma Ji is no more with us, it is a sad incident for not only BJP but the whole country. She inspired us, her last tweet tells us how she was involved in serving the nation in an emotional way.

12:45 AM, 7 Aug

Former President Pranab Mukherjee: Shocked beyond words & distressed at passing away of #SushmaSwaraj. An astute parliamentarian, an effective orator&an excellent humane leader, she'll forever be remembered & missed. Hers was a story of hard work to heights!

12:47 AM, 7 Aug

Union Minister Smriti Irani put out an emotional message after the demise of Sushma Swaraj. “I have an axe to grind with you Didi . You made Bansuri pick a restaurant to take me for a celebratory lunch. You left without fulfilling your promise to the two of us,” Irani said.

12:52 AM, 7 Aug

Union Minister & BJP leader Nitin Gadkari: Passing away of Sushma ji is a personal loss for me, BJP, & the country. Since the inception of the party, she played a key role in its expansion. When I was the President of BJP, she gave me guidance as an elder sister.

12:59 AM, 7 Aug

Mamata Banerjee described Sushma Swaraj as an outstanding politician, a good human being with whom she had shared "many cordial times in the Parliament" though they differed in their ideology. "Deeply saddened, shocked at the sudden passing away of Sushma Swaraj Ji. I knew her since the 1990s. Even though our ideologies differed, we shared many cordial times in Parliament. An outstanding politician, leader, good human being. Will miss her," Mamata Banerjee wrote on her Twitter handle.

12:59 AM, 7 Aug

Former prime minister and Janata Dal Secular leader H D Deve Gowda expressed sorrow by saying, "I am deeply saddened by the sad demise of former Union minister, ex-CM of Delhi Sushma Swaraj Ji. In a tweet, Deve Gowda said, I am deeply saddened by the sad demise of former Union minister, ex-CM of Delhi Sushma Swaraj Ji. Her death is a loss for our nation. May God give her family the courage to bear this pain."

1:00 AM, 7 Aug

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant condoled the death of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

1:04 AM, 7 Aug

Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan: I'm deeply saddened, I never thought Sushma ji will leave us so early. She loved & guided me as an elder sister for 3 decades. She had extraordinary personality & talent, she was a caring human.

1:05 AM, 7 Aug

S Rabbani, Afghanistan Foreign Affairs Minister: I’m saddened to hear of the untimely demise of Sushma Swaraj, former EAM of India. My deepest condolences to ppl &govt of India on the loss of a distinguished public figure who represented her country with distinction&determination

1:06 AM, 7 Aug

Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Tuesday expressed grief at the demise of former Union minister Sushma Swaraj. He praised her services to the nation in different capacities, a release from the Chief Minister's Office said. Rao conveyed his condolences to bereaved family members, it said. A senior BJP leader, Swaraj passed away at AIIMS, Delhi, on Tuesday night. She was 67. AIIMS doctors said she died of a cardiac arrest.

Three hours before news of former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj demise broke, she had tweeted thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime," she said in her last tweet.

प्रधान मंत्री जी - आपका हार्दिक अभिनन्दन. मैं अपने जीवन में इस दिन को देखने की प्रतीक्षा कर रही थी. @narendramodi ji - Thank you Prime Minister. Thank you very much. I was waiting to see this day in my lifetime.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 6, 2019