Arun Jaitley – A tribute

Arun Jaitley – A tribute

A shrewd and able politician who also remained an important Minister in the BJP/NDA governments passed away today, the August 24. Obviously it is a great loss not only to the BJP but also to the country. It is the second such sad happening in a span of just a few days at a comparatively early age counting the recent demise of SushmaSwaraj. I think politics and public life in India is one of the demanding careers. Our politicians, it seems, are not taking good care of their rest and recreation. Willingly or unwillingly, they

are leading a double life. They are expected not to take leave and go on holidays. They are expected not to drink and dance and unwind themselves. They are expected to be available to the public even at unearthly hours. They should not succumb to the common human weaknesses. These things tend to tell poorly on health and usual family life. We need to think and provide politicians and men in public life their due space in this regard and learn from the lives of their counterparts in the developed world.  

I first saw Arun Jaitley, a young student leader or a young professional as a lawyer, campaigning in the elections held in the wake of emergency at a public meeting in R.K Puram in New Delhi. I was impressed by his erudition and enthusiasm with a pleasing personality. Ever since, he remained in the thickness of things in Delhi as a professional legal practitioner and subsequently graduated to hold his sway in India even in public life as a trained and groomed BJP politician. Arun Jaitley enjoyed and wielded a big clout in the corridors of power without claiming to have a mass base which is important in public life. He was an experienced parliamentarian as a member of the RajyaSabha (lost in the Lok Sabha elections from Amritsar in May, 2014, his only effort to enter Lok Sabha), an able administrator and a diligent politician and was rightly considered a trouble shooter in PM Narendra Modi’s government in its first term. Arun Jaitley will leave a big void in the corridors of power in Delhi. 

It was my good fortune to meet and interact with him in Tokyo during my diplomatic assignment in Japan. He came to participate in a multilateral conference as the Minister of Commerce along with Minister of Agriculture Chaudhary Ajit Singh sometime in 2003. It was a rewarding experience. I accompanied him to all the bilateral meetings with Japanese leadership and also with his other counterparts from several countries and found him totally prepared and fully articulate with facts and figures to put across his views and inputs. At social occasions, lunches and dinners, Arun Jaitley was totally alive as a compulsive talker with pleasant demeanour and matching dash. I could feel as to how and rightly so he was a darling of the elite not only in India but beyond.

Arun Jaitley was a great man. It is my humble tribute to him on his sad demise.

Kaun kahtā hai ki mauta a.ī to mar jā.ūñgā

maiñ to dariyā huuñ samundar meñ utarjā.ūñgā

Protest against Demolition of Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad – An Open Letter to the Followers of Guru Ravidass Abroad.

Protest against Demolition of Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad – An Open Letter to the Followers of Guru Ravidass Abroad.

Dear Followers of Guru Ravidass living abroad,

I am sorry that I could not write it before. The immediate reason of writing this is that PM Narendra Modi is currently visiting France and will also visit UAE and Baharain in conjunction with the visit. I read in the social media that the followers of Guru Ravidass intend to register their protest against the demolition of Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad in Delhi. It their democratic right to do so in an orderly fashion and peacefully in consultation with the local authorities, if the mode of the protest is public. If they intend to register their protest through the diplomatic or consular mission of India, they can do so too in liaison and consultation with the concerned Mission. In fact, there are reports that at many places the followers of Guru Ravidass abroad have already given vent to their pent up feelings and rightly so.

I am writing this as a word of caution and advice and also the procedure to be followed in this regard as one of your fellow followers of Guru Ravidass with a rich experience as a career diplomat. We are to uphold the dignity and name of our country while earning our bread and butter abroad as responsible citizens and followers of Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar. At the same time, you have the right to express your mind in a disciplined and democratic way on issues of concern and interest. My advice in this regard is that you should approach the concerned Indian Mission, preferably through one of your organizations /Associations etc. , and make a request for an audience/meeting with the PM to register your protest or say your mind. The Indian Mission in consultation with the concerned, say MEA/PMO, would fix the requested meeting either with PM or his nominated Minister or high official accompanying the PM. You can register your protest/point either verbally or in writing as appropriate. With a view to get public on the action taken in this regard, you can even go to public media either through a suitable Press Release or through social media. Your point of view or grievance will reach the dignitary and other concerned. If you fail to get cooperation or support of the India Mission, which is unlikely if I go by my own experience, you can think of other peaceful and constitutional means in consultation with the local law and order authorities. Nobody should stop you from exercising your democratic right, least the Indian authorities. We should have faith in our system.

I am sorry to take your time on this routine matter. I have done so purposely as quite often I get reports and complaints from our people abroad that nobody listens to us in the Indian Embassy or nobody came out to meet us when we were demonstrating outside. I tell them the procedure to follow. I am confident that Indian Missions will listen to them and help them in conveying their point of view and complaints to the concerned. Going to the road to register your protest or complaint without informing the concerned Indian Mission and the local authorities is not only undesirable but also ill-advised. At these public protests and demonstrations, one should be peaceful and cultured. Please don’t resort to provocative and derogatory slogans. The vested interests sitting on the fence are all too eager to exploit the situation and fire the shot from your shoulder. Be careful and behave like good Indians as worthy followers of the great Guru Ravidass and the greatest leader in the contemporary times, Babasaheb Ambedkar.

With regards and all the best wishes for your further success and prosperity.

One of your own,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador – IFS (Retired)

Telephone: 9988510940

My Wishful Thinking - Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad – An Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi

My Wishful Thinking - Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad – An Open Letter to PM Narendra Modi

Respected PM Narendra Modi,

This is in continuation of my earlier three open letters on the issue of Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabd in Delhi which were sent to you through PMO and other policy and decision makers including the Lt. Governor of Delhi and Hon’ble Minister of Urban Development Hardip Singh Puri among others. I take the liberty of writing a wishful letter on the subject while a huge protest by the followers of Guru Ravidass is underway on this day of August 21 in Delhi. What prompted me to write this is your penchant for giving surprises and steal the show quietly and stealthily as ‘Out of the Box’ decisions needed to governor and deliver. I am, Sir, one of your well wishers and I write it as a compliment to your sagacious leadership.

The demolition of Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad, whatever the background, to my mind, has greatly perturbed the followers of Guru Ravidass and the dalit communities at large. They are up-in-arms on the issue. Your political opponents and other vested interests have come together to exploit the situation. As of now, as I know, GOI seems to be in a quandary as to what to do or the concerned decision makers are over-confident to kill the problem in one way or the other. But I must hasten to add that, to my mind, situation is going out of hands increasingly. The hapless dalit youth is prone to succumb to the nefarious designs of the anti-national forces that are eager to turn the situation to their advantage. PM Sir, I am sure that you have access to all the relevant information. I need not dwell on it any more.

Now I come to the wishful part of my submissions. You are a leader by your own right. Your government has the honour to enjoy a huge majority in the parliament.  Dalits including the followers of Guru Ravidass clearly supported you and your party in the recent elections. Many of us, like me, are willing to join your lofty programme of – Sab Ka Sath, Sab Ka Viskas and Sab Ka Vishwas and also the lofty ideals of “Samrasta” in the society. You should not be seen sitting tight while a large chunk of the society is forced to be on the road in protest that too not only outside but under the nose of the government in Delhi. No fair minded person, particularly belonging to the under-privileged, would tend to support this. The time is of essence. You would appreciate and agree. A huge crowd of lakhs and lakhs of followers are assembled in Delhi today. Come out please and address their concern publically as you deem fit. Either go to Ram Lila grounds personally breaking all protocols and hesitations or invite the stake-holders to PMO or your residence. Give them a hearing and offer them a solution to the problem to save the situation and bring about harmony and peace in the society. Your sagacious and thoughtful action in this regard will send a strong message and go a long way in assuaging the ruffled sentiments of the community. They will come back satisfied to their homes chanting “Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai” This healing touch will further strengthen the principles and edifice of our democratic country and a humane society as stipulated in our constitution.

As the time is running out, I have no time to go through and correct the mistakes in my letter. I am confident that my submissions would find a fair consideration at your hands and the followers of Guru Ravidass would get the chance to thank you for your right approach and mind.

With personal regards and all the best wishes for your good health and further success.

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador – IFS (Retired)

Tele: 9988510940

Shri Narendra Modi,

Prime Minister of India,

New Delhi

Run up to the August 21 Dalit Protest in Delhi– An Open Letter

Run up to the August 21 Dalit Protest in Delhi– An Open Letter

Dear All,

This is in continuation of two open letters of August 11 and August 13 on the sad demolition of Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad in Delhi. The August 13 Bandh in Punjab, it was expected, would awaken the government from the slumber and a right decision to address and undo the demolition of the mandir would be taken by the GOI. Subsequent to the August 13 Punjab Bandh, various delegations, particularly representing the ruling outfits BJP and Akalis, met the Hon’ble Minister of Urban Development and the Lt. Governor. Others representing the Deras, social and spiritual organizations of the followers of Guru Ravidass have been making

Protest at Bootan Mandi Jalandhar

a hue and cry in vain. In spite of the fact that the incident of demolition happened in the capital city of Delhi and the August 13 Punjab Bandh gave a clear indication that the situation was volatile, the media which is blissfully ignorant and silent, regrettably did not take any cognizance of it as a public issue of importance. People are attracted more to the social media which is rife in spreading the truth and more often half-truths and un-truths.

Much water, over the days since the said demolition, has flown in the Yamuna and is already crossing the danger level in these days of rainy weather and also over-flowing with social distrust and acrimony. There is no official reaction or statement in the public domain as to how they propose to address the issue and take into confidence the followers of Guru Ravidass to redress their grievances with regard to the demolition of the mandir. The things are getting hot and heading for avoidable confrontation to my mind. I only hope that it takes a right turn to save the situation. At the same time, I have faith in the ability and sincerity of the concerned Minister Hardip Singh Puri who is at the helm of the issue. If I go by the social media reports, there have been protests in all the major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi and other prominent towns and cities apart from Punjab which was already

up-in-arms against the act of demolition of the mandir in Delhi. There are also reports that the

Protest at HCI London

followers of Guru Ravidass living in various countries abroad are equally perturbed and angry and have demonstrated in front of our diplomatic missions and submitted memorandums to register their anguish and protest. GOI, in its better judgement, is either confident that nothing would happen and they have some readymade solution in their pocket which would satisfy the people or they are, as usual, waiting to see the strength and impact of the on-going protest. I don’t think it is a right approach. GOI must not be seen as a mere spectator and must decide things on the basis of the destructive and confrontational potential of the peaceful and constitutional protest.

As I warned in my earlier letters, owing to the fact that the protesters are not well organized and divided, the vested interests might be sitting on the fence to exploit the fluid situation to their advantage. I have already seen reports in the social media which indicate Khalistani extremists and some Kashmiri separatists and also outright terrorists were subtly engaging themselves to provoke and entice the hapless dalit youth to come to the streets and take things into their hands.

The purpose of this letter is to forewarn the decision makers and also the protestors to ward off ourselves from the lurking danger of unconstitutional methods which were termed as “Grammar of Anarchy” by Babasaheb Ambedkar. Any laxity or even delay in addressing the issue has the potential of inflicting undue and uncalled for damage to the polity and social fabric of the society. GOI and the civic society, including the important organisations like the RSS, SGPC among others would not sit tight, I believe. And if they do so, it would be at their own peril. Let us listen to the poetic expression of Krishan Bihari Noor in addressing the matter:

आओ सारे मसले  इस रौशनी में हल करें,

तुम भी ज़िम्मेदार हो और हम भी ज़िम्मेदार हैं !

तुम भी अब हाथों के सारे पत्थर फैंक दो,

हम भी सबकुछ भूल जाने को तैयार हैं !

With all the best wishes for peace and prosperity of our country.

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador – IFS (Retired)

Telephone: 9988510940

Punjab Bandh - August 13 – Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad – An Open Letter – 2

Punjab Bandh - August 13 – Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad – An Open Letter – 2

Dear All,

I wrote an open letter on August 11 on the demolition of Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad in Delhi as a curtain raiser of the protests against the said demolition by the followers of Guru Ravidass. First of all, as the situation unfolded itself, it is a matter of gratification to note that the demolition of the mandir of the great guru has been taken seriously by the community and by the wide political and social spectrum around except by some narrow-minded and politically motivated voices who were found lacking in understanding the issue or their political constraints. Even some highly placed people, including a junior Minister at the Center found faults with the management of the Tughlakabad Mandir and others who tended to raise the banner of protest. The leadership of BJP could not come around and stand by the community as the mandir belonged to Guru Ravidass, a nobody in the caste hierarchy and the fact that the decision makers in Delhi to demolish the mandir were no others but their political masters. The upper-caste Hindu community, in spite of the fact that the followers of Guru Ravidass are mostly Hindus, as usual, was found disinterested or even disdainful. The caste system which was an anathema to Guru Ravidass and is unlawful and undesirable under the constitution of India, it seems is still at work.  It is unfortunate. I think the community will certainly take note of this and respond in due course. CM of Punjab Captain Amrinder Singh took due note of the situation and tried to assuage the ruffled feelings of the community and promised to take up the matter with the concerned authorities in Delhi. President of Akali Dal Sukhbir Badal and the Sikh community at large not only condemned the demolition but also showed their willingness to take up the matter with the concerned Minister Hardip Puri and PM Narendra Modi. It has also been

Protest dharna at Bootan Mandi Jalandhar

reported that SGPC has condemned the demolition of the temple.  Even the Punjab Chapter of the RSS came out with a statement and expressed its displeasure on the said demolition at Tughlakabad.  It would have been good if RSS should have taken a strong and clear stand on the issue and advised the government to desist from the uncalled for and undesirable demolition at Tughlakabad in persuasion of their professed agenda of “Samrasta”. I think, it is still a long way to go in shedding the inherit feeling of social discrimination. 

It is a matter of further satisfaction that the successful bandh, as I write at about 2 in the afternoon of August 13, is by and large peaceful and conforms to the democratic norms of protest and disagreement except some violent happenings at Mukerian in Hoshiarpur. I take this opportunity to appreciate and congratulate the protesters - followers of Guru Ravidass and Babasaheb Ambedkar and their supporters from the society at large for their good conduct and praiseworthy demonstration as law-abiding citizens. I feel the Administration in Punjab was also fully geared and alert to ward off any untoward incident. I was told that the concerned law and order authorities took into confidence all the stake holders including the Guru Ravidass Deras to manage and control the situation. I must hasten to add that the government and the concerned authorities should not take these positive signs lightly in taking the decisions and undoing the damage of the said demolition. It may be a proverbial ‘lull before the storm’, if the authorities fail to understand the issue and redress the grievances of the community with regard to the Tughlakabad Mandir of Guru Ravidass. It is a matter of great worry and concern that the mainstream media has totally ignored the issue in spite of the fact that the mandir was located in the capital city of Delhi. Some days ago when a small and nondescript mandir  near Jama Masjid in old Delhi  was allegedly desecrated, all the national TV channels were making loud but uncalled for noises and were falling on each other to demonstrate their concern for the secular character of the country and their soft attitude towards the majority community. This lopsided and discriminatory approach by an important pillar of democracy tends to divide the society. The media must understand this. The earlier the better. The aggrieved sections of the society are in no mood any more to swallow this.

By the evening of today, it is a matter of satisfaction again, the fire fighting to rectify the mistake and damage control has started in Delhi. The Supreme Court has suo motto intervened and said that ‘it was a serious matter and nobody should try to take shelter under the Supreme Court Orders for political convenience’.  The Administration in Delhi – Lt. Governor, DDA, Police Commissioner were taking recourse to justify the ill-conceived and ill-motivated and faultily executed decision in the name of the courts. Only one question in this regard will make their action hollow. The efficiency shown by the Delhi Administration in implementing the so called order of the Supreme Court in destroying the mandir was unprecedented. The order comes in the evening of August 9 and the mandir is demolished in the morning of August 10.  The GOI through the Minister of Urban development passed the bulk to DDA and Lt. Governor. Home Minister is blissfully ignorant of the happenings and has no time to appreciate the sensitivities of the people who stood by them and contributed considerably to come back to power with an added

majority. No party – the Congress, the Akalis, the BJP, the BSP and others considered it necessary to consider the matter and listen to the management of the Tughlakabad mandir and stand by them while the parliament was in session. After the noises and the Punjab Bandh of today, some of them have woken from the slumber. A delegation of BJP, Akalis and their allies have met the Ministers of Social Justice and Ministers of Urban Development and urged them to reconsider the unjust action by the Delhi Administration. Let us see what happens. I may add here my immediate apprehension that someone might suggest to allot a piece of land for the purpose somewhere else and end the matter. It will be totally unfair and would amount to high-handedness. The traditional and historical character of the Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlakabad should be maintained. The followers of Guru Ravidass should not fall prey to these machinations. There should be no duplicity in dealing with such matters. 

I conclude this open letter with the hope that the Delhi Administration under the GOI will take due note of these things and address the issue with all seriousness and sincerity. The followers of Guru Ravidass, on the other hand, should register their protest and demands with cool and pursue the matter with democratic norms as responsible citizens of the country. The incidents of Mukerian should be not repeated to tarnish the image of the great Guru as he said:

Keh Ravidass Khalas Chamara

Jo Hum Sehri so Meet Hamara!

With regards and Greetings on the Independence Day and Raksha Bandhan.

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador – IFS (Retired)

Tele: 9988510940

Guru RavidassMandir at Tughlaqabad in Delhi – An Open Letter

Guru RavidassMandir at Tughlaqabad in Delhi – An Open Letter

Guru RavidassMandir at Tughlaqabad in Delhi is in the news. It has been observed that the media, more so the electronic media and the main stream of the society, has tended to ignore or suppress, unfortunately, the news of the Mandir’s demolition by the GOI/DDA. The followers of Guru Ravidass, particularly in Punjab, are up-in-protest and rightly so. The news, actual as well as fake, is

getting viral on social media. With a view to put the things in perspective, I decided to write this open letter to the concerned authorities in Delhi and my fellow followers of Guru Ravidass and the captains of the civil society as the incidents pertaining to the demolition of the Mandir are likely to have far reaching implications to the social and communal fabric of the country and the society at large.

Dear All,

I am a follower of Guru Ravidass currently living in Jalandhar after a long stint as a career diplomat of India. The demolition of Guru Ravidass Mandir at Tughlaqabad in Delhi was said to be carried out by the concerned authorities including the DDA on the advice and directions of the Supreme Court. I will not go into the details of the legal aspect of the case. It seems that the legal battles might have been won by the might of the State and the other vested interests involved in the matter. Obviously, the community stakeholders are not only an unorganised lot but also mostly an uneducated and source less belonging to the weaker sections of the society. The traditional marginalisation and inability of the community to defend themselves and save their dignity and respect and also spiritual identity should not go against them in a democratic and secular setup of the country. As far as the legal aspect, it should be suffice to say that it is an established fact that the land in question was granted by the then ruler Sikander Lodhi to Guru Ravidass as Gurudakshina to pay his respect and regards as a matter of gratitude to the great Guru some five hundred years ago. Guru Ravidass, as the common belief is, even stayed at the place and gave the message of equality, fraternity and casteless society, the very edifice of our current constitution. The DDA or any other authority should not go by the unfounded and lopsided fact and argument that the land is a prime location in the capital of India with considerable financial and economic value. It seems, the Manuwadi mindset, does not accept that the socially and financially weak followers of Guru Ravidass should possess such a prime location in the capital of the country. I will tend to agree with regret that the community could not develop the Mandir as it should be because of their inherit weaknesses. But it should not go against them as the constitutional and social responsibility of the government and the society is to bring about social, economic and all-round empowerment of the weaker sections of the society. In this regard, my humble suggestion to the GOI/DDA is to appoint a high-power committee which should include the spiritual, social and political stakeholders from the community to decide the matter keeping in mind the historical aspects as well as the current realities of ‘affirmative action” to empower and strengthen the community to further strengthen the social fabric of the society. It will supplement and compliment the lofty ideal of ‘Samrasta’ professed by the ruling party BJP and its mentors in the RSS. I hasten to add that mere legal or administrative conveniences are not all the time desirable to address emotional and matters of Astha. The mainstream of the society must keep in mind that the Nirmohi Akhada and other stakeholders, as per the media reports, also do not possess any legal/authenticated documents to claim the Ram Janambhoomi in Ajodhya. It should be enough to address the legal aspect of the issue.

Secondly, it is my ardent appeal to the GOI, through the Ministry of Urban Development, DDA and Lt. Governor of Delhi should immediately address the issue before things get worse. The situation, it seems, is already on the boil particularly in Punjab. Kindly don’t wait, as usual, to react after people take law into their own hands. It is a matter of great regret that the community is rudderless and leaderless. The vested interests and anti-social elements might tend to take advantage of the void. Let us take due note of these ground realities before it is too late. The ruling outfit must understand the sensitivities with about 50 MPs out of 84 of the reserved category in their fold. I have not seen or read any public statement by the ruling party’s Ministers or MPs on the demolition of Guru Ravidass Temple at Tughlaqabad.  Are they sleeping or are they waiting for the people to come out on the street to make their feeble voices heard?

I have purposely not gone into the merits or demerits of the case on the basis of facts and figures as it is not the time to argue the matter but find a solution to address the concerns of the followers of Guru Ravidass as equal partners in the country and society at large.

I would like to take this opportunity to advise my fellow followers of Guru Ravidass that like good citizens of the country and worthy followers of the great Guru and our icon BabasahebAmbedkar not to succumb and resort to unconstitutional and violent methods to express and conduct themselves. Let us approach and appeal the GOI and the civil society to address the issue and stop the demolition of the temple at Tughlaqabad with a sense of accommodation and justice.

With all the best wishes and hope that a saner sense will prevail.

Yours truly,

(Ramesh Chander)

Ambassador - IFS (Retired)

Telephone: 9988510940

A humble tribute to Sushma Swaraj

A humble tribute to Sushma Swaraj

Former External Affairs Minister and a political leader by her own right, Sushma Swaraj, is no more. I write this as a humble tribute to her, a worthy daughter of India. I followed her closely from the mid-1970s when she stole the limelight as a young politician and an excellent orator and debater and later as an astute parliamentarian and an able Minister in various governments.

It was a personal pleasure when I got the opportunity to see her closely at work and interact with her on a couple of occasions as the Director of Central Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs in the years 1997-2000. Sushma Swaraj was the Minister of Information and Broadcasting in PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s government. I found her extremely pleasant and courteous to junior officials like me on one hand and a competent and able Minister on the other. One distinction which she brought to the Ministry of External Affairs was that she paid personal attention to the needs

and services to Indians and Indian Diaspora abroad which hitherto was not on the list of priorities of her predecessors. It was appreciated much and rightly so both at home in India and also in foreign lands by the beneficiaries. It will not be out of place to mention with a sense of gratitude that Sushma Swaraj was kind enough to see, read and respond to my humble proposal to declare April 14, birth anniversary of Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar, as the International Day of Equality under the aegis of the UN made in 2015 in the wake of the decision by PM Narendra Modi’s government to observe and commemorate the 125^th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar was celebrated at New York, the Headquarters of the UN in April, 2016 for the first time with the support and directions of EAM Sushma Swaraj and the current EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar who was the then Foreign Secretary and I kept him also on the loop. Next year that is April, 2017, there were reports, mostly

unfounded, spread by some of the vested interests who profess to be the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar but in fact are anti-establishment, that the GOI has advised the Indian PR at the UN not to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Ambedkar. On noticing this, I took the liberty of writing an e-mail to EAM Sushma Swaraj and brought it to her notice and requested her to ensure that the birthday was celebrated at the UN. It was done with all solemnity and grace. It was a matter of great satisfaction. Later, I came to know, informally, that EAM Sushma Swaraj personally directed that the birthday should be celebrated officially by the Indian PR at the UN. We need to pursue the matter further with the public support.

With the demise of Sushma Swaraj, India has lost a dedicated and able politician and also a towering public figure. May God grant peace to the departed soul.