Sushma Swaraj

Born On: 14 February, 1952
Born in: Palwal, Haryana
Career: Lawyer, Politician

Being the Member of the Indian Parliament, leader of opposition and a well-known political figure, Sushma Swaraj is a role model for women who are looking to achieve great heights. As a political leader, she enjoyed a smooth climb to the top, without really facing too many hurdles. Though the defeat of Bharathiya Janatha Party in 2009 Assembly elections dented her popularity for a while, neither her defenders nor her detractors doubted her ability to bounce back. Apart from being a major politician, Swaraj has shown a keen interest in poetry, drama, fine arts and classical music. She also served as the President of the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan in Haryana for four years. She is an excellent orator and a good campaigner. These talents only helped make her the first woman leader of the opposition. She is considered by many as the prominent 'next generation leader'. Read on to know more about one of India's most famous politicians.

Early Life
Sushma Swaraj was born in Palwal in Haryana on 14th February, 1952 to Hardev Sharma and Laxmi Devi. She finished her graduation in B.A English from the S.D College in Ambala. She won the gold medal for the best student and finished her degree in L.L.B from the Punjab University in Chandigarh. Sushma Swaraj started off her political career as a student leader in the 1970's. She organised protests against Indira Gandhi government.

Career
From 1977-1982 and from 1987-1990, Sushma Swaraj was the member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly. From 1977-1979, she was the Cabinet Minister for Labour and Employment. This was when she was a Janatha Dal MLA in Devi Lal's government. In 1980, she became a part of the Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP). She served as the Cabinet Minister for Education and Food and Civil Supplies in the combined Lok Dal - BJP government under Devi Lal from 1987 - 1990. She was adjudged the Best Speaker of the Haryana State Assembly for three successive years. She contested the Lok Sabha elections from Karnal in Haryana in 1980, 1984 and 1989, but was beaten by Chiranji Lal Sharma. In 1990, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha. In 1996, she was elected from South Delhi to the 11th Lok Sabha and served as the Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the 13-day Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. In 1998, Sushma Swaraj was re-elected to the 12th Lok Sabha and held the Information and Broadcasting portfolio from 19th March, 1988 to 12th October, 1988.

On December 1998, Sushma Swaraj left the Union Cabinet to serve as the Chief Minister of Delhi. When the BJP lost the assembly elections, she returned to national politics. In April 2000, Swaraj returned to the Parliament as a Rajya Sabha member from Uttarakhand. She served as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting from September 2000 to January 2003 after which she was given the port folio of Health and Family Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs. She served the country in these positions till May 2004. In April 2006, Sushma Swaraj was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh and served as the Deputy Leader of BJP in the Rajya Sabha. In 2009, she was elected to the 15th Lok Sabha from the Vidisha constituency from Madhya Pradesh. She won by a high margin of 4.01 Lakh votes. In 2009, she was appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Awards and Accolades
Best Speaker, Haryana State Assembly
Best Parliamentarian Award 2008, 2010

Time Line
1952: Born in Palwal in Haryana.
1977-82, 1987-90: Became Member of the Haryana Legislative Assembly.
1977-1979: Served as the cabinet minister for Labour and Employment as the Janatha Dal MLA in Devi Lal's government.
1980: Became a part of the Bharathiya Janatha Party.
1987-1990: Served as the cabinet minister for Education and Food and Civil Supplies in the combined Lok Dal - BJP government under Devi Lal.
1990: Elected to the Rajya Sabha.
1996: Elected from South Delhi to the 11th Lok Sabha, served as the Union Cabinet Minister for Information and Broadcasting in the 13-day Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government.
1998: Re-elected to the 12th Lok Sabha, became the Information and Broadcasting Minister, left the Union Cabinet to serve as the Chief Minister of Delhi.
2000: Became a Rajya Sabha member from Uttarakhand.
2000-2003: Served as the Minister of Information and Broadcasting.
2006: Was reelected to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh.
2009: Was elected from the Vidisha constituency in Madhya Pradesh to the Lok Sabha.
2009: Was appointed as the Leader of the Opposition to the Lok Sabha.