"Sushma Swaraj responded immedately to help stranded Indians

Sushma Swaraj is best remembered for her immediate response to pleas for helping safe return of Indians stranded abroad and women in distress overseas, Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi said here on Wednesday.

The former external affairs Minister died at AIIMS, Delhi on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Bedi, in a WhatsApp message, recalled that Swaraj, her college friend, used to promptly respond to all pleas from the Raj Nivas for help for safe return of stranded persons abroad.

"Sushma Swaraj came to the rescue of women in distress overseas. So many families from Puducherry owe their reunion to her. She was very prompt and kind. Sushma Swaraj was my university friend and we miss her in our lives', she said.

Bedi said Swaraj personally acknowledged all correspondence for help for return of those who were stranded or harassed overseas.

"Most of them were women in need to be brought back from unsafe employers', Bedi said.

Bedi also pointed out that most of those who returned had come to Raj Nivas at the Open House meeting and had expressed their gratitude to Sushma Swaraj.

She recalled that she used to send urgent messages to her through Twitter or WhatsApp, to which she would immediately respond.

"Sushma Swaraj was most responsive to any such humanitarian need and also made optimum use of all forms of communication in technology to help people in need with speed and compassion," she said.