"My Memories Of The Crimson Bindi and Crisp Sarees"

I met Sushma Swaraj a couple of times regarding the shoot of my old program at Rajya Sabha TV, "It's My Life". This program focused on the other side of the political personalities. Most of the leaders were keen to get featured in the show and I used to have a long booking list which enabled me to plan my three shows a month of half an hour each. The show involved covering several aspects, from going to the constituency of these leaders, to meeting their family members, and showcasing their love for sports, pets, food, music, etc. The shoot required three to four days with the leaders.

Also read: Sushma Swaraj Passes Away At 67-Political Journey Of Delhi’s First Female Chief Minister

It was, hence, a dream to feature Sushma Swaraj and somewhere I knew she would not have that kind of time. However, the journalist in me never gave up and keeping with that spirit I continued chasing her, pestering her, sometimes in the corridors of Parliament, and on a few occasions, even at home.

An enigmatic, well-manicured personality, and someone who always greeted people with a smile, she was a leader in true sense. However, when I prevailed upon her to go to Vidisha, her older constituency in Madhya Pradesh, for the the shoot of my show, her usual answer with the motherly retort used to be, “Kya Neelu shoot ke alawa bhi koi baat karo” (what Neelu, talk something else apart from just shooting).

On a few occasions she even got irritated saying “tum aur tumhara It's my life” “Neelu Mai interview Dene ke mood Main bilkul nahi hoo”. Once she even said, “Tumhare program ‘Its My Life’ ke liye main teen se char din kaise nikaloongi.” (You and your It’s My Life. Neelu I am not in a mood to give any interviews. How will I take out 3-4 days of time for your show?)

The moment she said this, I had disappointment written on my face, but she compensated that with her humanitarian and welcoming side. She deftly diverted the topic over a cup of hot tea and started talking about women, their liking, their mindset. On one or two occasions I also spoke to her about Women’s Reservation Bill, and also how she did not like the male mindset that treated women more as a commodity. She had a pathological hatred for people who thought women were meant only to rear children and keep the home’s fire burning.

An epitome of grace, she always looked dapper in her bright sarees, the crimson bindi laced with sindoor, and her trademark waistcoat about which she once told me casually that it helps her in keeping many trinkets inside the pocket. You would always find a pen, a small note pad, one or two joora (hair bun) pins inside those pockets. She loved keeping her hands free. Her feminine grace did not diminish her steely resolve as a politician. Sushma ji loved being amongst the people, she loved to be heard when she spoke, her voice resounded inside the House whether it was Lok Sabha as a Leader of the Opposition or as a Foreign Affairs Minister.

Also read: How Sushma Swaraj Made Ethnic Look Cool With Matching Jackets Every Single Day!

When talking about her extraordinary manner, which helped her reach out to Indians in distress in several parts of the world, she became a rage on twitter with her affable style. She also succeeded in creating a connection between the older and the new generation with the same paintbrush.

Seated next to Advani ji inside the Lok sabha, Sushma Swaraj was equally loved and respected by former Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Now that I join the dots what an irony it is that Sushma ji passed away exactly a year later from Vajpayee. It was on August 17th 2018, that the nation mourned one of its greatest statesmen, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and just about a year later Sushma Swaraj has too left.

August doesn't bring good tidings....Vajpayee, Karunanidhi, Sushma Swaraj have had their tryst with death and heaven in this month. May she rest in peace but I still regret not having shot “It's My Life” with you Sushma ji. A dream that now stands unfulfilled. I shall always miss you and your warmth. The soft ideas you stood for in this current gorilla style modern politics, I can’t help but share the lines which you once told me about the life of a woman. Let me share it once again with all of you...

"Ek tapti dopahar hai nariyon ki zindagi, ek pathrili dagar hai nariyon ki zindagi..

Chahe ho agni pariksha, chahe ho chausard ki bisar, har sadi me daav par hai nariyon ki zindagi”

These lines have been echoing in my ears since last night when I heard the news of her demise, and I have been wondering what a woman Sushma Swaraj was. There can't be another one!

About the writer: Neelu Vyas Thomas is a senior journalist, anchor, and moderator and works with Rajya Sabha TV. She writes on gender issues, politics, health, and the environment. Neelu has been a television journalist for the last twenty years and has been associated with organisations like Zee News, Aajtak, Headlines today, CNN-IBN.