RIP, Sheila Dikshit

Poignancy was evident in the reactions of politicians and people at large over the death of former Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit. Everybody remembered her for her grace and geniality as also FOR the good work she did in the national Capital. The good that men and women do is remembered.

She was accorded a state funeral on Sunday.

Both her party leaders and those from the Bharatiya Janata Party were united in grief. There is consensus among the political class as well as the people of Delhi that she transformed the city in her three tenures lasting 15 years. Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in her letter to Dikshit’s son Sandeep, said: “She worked with such vision and dedication to transform Delhi, to make it a much better place to live in for all its citizens, including the poorest, and that tremendous achievement remains her lasting legacy.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled her demise: “Deeply saddened by the demise of Sheila Dikshit Ji. Blessed with a warm and affable personality, she made a noteworthy contribution to Delhi’s development. Condolences to her family and supporters. Om Shanti.”

Such was her elegance and poise that even her political adversaries, except Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, used harsh words about her. Thankfully, he was not indecent mourning her. In fact, he announced that the Delhi government would host a state funeral for her. He wrote, “Only last month I had met her for nearly an hour when she came with her party’s delegation to submit a memorandum on several issues. At the end of the meeting, I wished her good health, not knowing that this would be my last meeting with her.”

Dikshit’s body was taken to the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) office and then to the AICC headquarters at Akbar Road. Senior Congress leaders, including former prime minister Manmohan Singh, chief ministers Ashok Gehlot and Kamal Nath, paid their respects to the departed leader.

She was cremated at the Nigam Bodh Ghat.

Dikshit was India’s longest serving woman chief minister, ruling for three consecutive terms in 1998, 2003, and 2008. She worked hard to improve the infrastructure of Delhi. She played a crucial role in introducing Metro and CNG-based bus fleet, and improving roads.

RIP, Sheila Dikshit.

Picture courtesy: Wikipedia