Sushma Swaraj’s touch gives MEA new image

The Union Ministry of External Affairs is generally associated with high-power diplomacy across the globe. It is renowned for significant visits, meetings, deals et al. However, with Sushma Swaraj at the helm of affairs, the Ministry definitely has gained the title of being humanitarian. The credit for which goes to Swaraj. She has been the fire-fighter for Indians who are in trouble abroad. Her willingness to move beyond the boundaries of diplomacy, to associate herself with the people in distress is indeed commendable. Ever since in office, Swaraj, through her Twitter account, has been helping Indians by replying to their pleas for help from overseas. Her dealings with the distressed has a healing touch. Besides offering help, she consoles them, treats them with utmost care, gives an emotional and a meaningful touch to their grievances. Her selfless service via social media to home-bound Indians has been acknowledged and hailed by many. Swaraj is among the six Indians who have featured in Foreign Policy's 100 leading Global Thinkers, which is an annual list of people who have made contributions to society in different ways. Besides, Swaraj also featured in Financial Times' women of the year. She has also been at service for the tourists who visit this country.

Through her Twitter account, Swaraj has helped Indians of all hues. She helped an Indian women in the US, who had given birth to a baby weeks after she lost her husband in a heart attack, return back home safely. She tweeted, “We are with you in this hour of tragedy.” In yet another case, she helped 20 girls return to Pakistan as they feared tensions between India and Pakistan would not let them. She made the Indian embassy in the US work on holidays so that a son could perform last rites of his father. Nothing could deter Swaraj, not even her illness. During times when she was ailing in hospital, undergoing dialysis she could not resist herself from helping a young PHD Indian student, who tweeted about her problems in getting a visa. Swaraj was quick in her response and asked her to visit the hospital. The message has been loud and clear: No matter which part of the world you are, when in distress, you are just a tweet away. The most striking feature of Swaraj is that she walks an extra mile to help the people whole heartedly. Perhaps this is why when she was ill, her Twitter timeline saw an outburst of posts from her admirers, followers and citizens, wishing for her good health. Not just this, many even offered their kidney to her. Kind-heartedness is reciprocal, as is evidenced by reactions on Twitter to Swaraj. Sympathy and empathy are inborn virtues of this lady.