Sushma Sharma (later Sushma Swaraj) was two years senior to me at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
In 1972, while I was a second-year student of DAV College, she had joined the law department, after graduation from the SD College, Ambala. We first met during an inter-college debate. While I represented my college, she was the leader of the debating team of her department. After a few contests, both of us—members of the PU debaters club—had come to know each other quite well, as the debaters were just a handful at the university level.
R.D. Singh at a university debate in Chandigarh in 1971 | Supplied
Among girls, it was Sushma and Jyotsana Pandit from the GCW (now GCG) who stole the limelight. The male speaker stalwarts included Ish Kapoor, Rattandeep Singh, M.L. Verma, Lalit Kapoor, Pranav Singhal and some ordinary mortals like me. From St Stephens, Delhi, the familiar team was of Vivek Katzu ( IFS) and Deepak Vohra.
Sushma was our leader. She was a known orator and would usually win first prize. Newspapers would carry the headline 'Sushma wins first prize’, and we would envy it. It was very difficult to defeat her as she was a ferocious speaker, who was highly convincing. But I got the thrill of my life when I defeated her once. It was 1972 and we had a youth festival in our college where teams from several colleges of north India had come to participate in various cultural activities, including a declamation contest. It was a prestigious contest, as winners represented the university at the national level.
Sushmaji was a Hindi speaker, and I spoke in English. The topic was Non-alignment is the best policy suited to India. I put my heart and soul into it and prepared very hard under professor C.L. Dhamija, who was in charge of our our college's young speakers' association.
And here was Sushma also taking part, with about 20 other speakers. It was a tough contest. When she was there, every one was reconciled to being second as they all assumed that Sushma would win the first prize. But, not me this time. I went all out, with just one aim—defeat Sushma Sharma.
When my turn came to speak, Dhamija said, “RD bash on regardless”. And that’s what one did. With no paper in my hand, I spoke with conviction and from the heart. One modulated the voice as per the emotion. There was pin-drop silence, and loud applause after I finished. The results were announced, with professor M.M. Puri (later VC of the PU) as the chief judge. Lo and behold—I had won the first prize and Sushmaji got second position. It was a red letter day for me. My dream had come true—to defeat Sushma Sharma, at least once.
Now, a memorable event happened. After the contest got over, Dhamija brought us to the college canteen for a treat, with Sushma also along. Naturally, she was a bit upset as she had lost her first position today. We were chatting, sipping tea and relishing paneer pakoras. At that time, when I bent forward to pick up my tea glass, accidentally my tie dipped into the tea glass. Sushma saw it, and burst into laughter. We all joined her as it was an occasion to celebrate.
We used to meet very often on the PU campus, not only during debates but also university functions.
Sushmaji was a highly respected student, and would not accept nonsense from anyone. Good at studies, she maintained her distance, having few close friends only. I think her best friend was Swaraj Kaushal, her classmate, whom she married later. One saw them on a Lambreta scooter often on the campus. The professors respected Sushma as she was a girl with values and substance.
I distinctly remember professor Balram Gupta of the law department, who spoke very highly of her as his favourite student. She was also very articulate, carried herself well and could put across her view succinctly in chaste Hindi. When she laughed, it was a hearty one, with a twinkle in her eyes.
We parted ways in 1973. After her LLB, Sushma joined politics in her home state Haryana, and was the youngest minister at the age of 25 ( as a first-time MLA) in Chaudhary Devi Lal’s government.
Colonel R.D. Singh
I joined the Army in 1974, but kept in touch with her. I still remember her cordial reply to my letter when I congratulated her on her victory and appointment as a minister in 1977. She was liked by her constituency of Ambala, and the people of Haryana respected her as an empowered woman. In fact, she proved to be a motivating factor for girls of Haryana to study further and take up careers.
As a Union minister. Sushma Swaraj left a mark. Her speaking prowess could be seen in Parliament debates, and when she spoke, people listened. As a foreign minister, particularly, in the last few years, she gave the role a motherly touch, and helped people in distress, taking proactive actions. Her sudden demise has shocked her well-wishers. As a fellow debater, I will always cherish the memories of our fond association in the Panjab University from 1971 to 73. She will be remembered as a lady with substance, who rose above petty politics.
The writer is a retired Army officer, who is presently convener of INTACH, Ambala chapter
