Former Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit Passes Away at 81

Sheila Dikshit, former Delhi Chief Minister, passed away around 3:30 pm in Delhi today. The veteran Congress leader was 81. According to media reports, Dikshit was rushed to Escorts hospital in the morning, where she breathed her last. The three-time CM had cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and had undergone heart surgery in France last year.

"Sheila Dikshit was managed well by a team of doctors. At 3.15 pm, she again suffered a cardiac arrest. She was put on a ventilator and at 3.55 pm, she passed away peacefully," Escorts Fortis director Dr. Ashok Seth told a news agency. 

Sheila Dikshit was a powerful leader who served as Delhi CM for nearly 15 years and held the record of winning three consecutive elections. She also served as the governor of Kerala in 2014.

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. pic.twitter.com/jERrvJlQ4X

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2019

Deeply saddened at the passing of Sheila Dikshit Ji. When I became MP, she was the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. She always maintained good relations with me. We will all really miss her

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 20, 2019

दिल्ली की पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री और काँग्रेस की वरिष्ठ नेता श्रीमती शिला दीक्षित जी के देहांत की खबर सुनकर व्यथित हूं। दिल्ली के विकास में उनका योगदान हमेशा याद रखा जाएगा। उनके परिजनों के प्रति मेरी संवेदनाएं हैं। भगवान शीला जी की दिवंगत आत्मा को शांति दे। ॐ शांतिः।

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) July 20, 2019

A Sneak Peek Into Her Political Journey: 

• It was former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi who encouraged Sheila Dikshit to enter into politics and be a part of UN delegation. She represented India at the UN for five years, from 1984- 1989.
• In 1984, she became a Lok Sabha minister from Kannauj parliamentary constituency of Uttar Pradesh.

• She did her graduation from Delhi University’s college Miranda House. She was also a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Delhi.
• In 1990, Dikshit and her 82 colleagues were sent to prison for 23 days by the state government when she led a drive against the violence being committed on women.
• Keeping women safety in mind and as chairperson of Young women’s Association, Dikshit also set up two hostels for working women in Delhi.
• In the Delhi Legislative Assembly election 2013, she lost the election against AAP party.

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• Dikshit served as Delhi Cm for nearly 15 years- from 1998 to 2013.
• She was honored with several awards such as- ‘Delhi Women of the Decade Achievers Award 2013', 'Best Chief Minister of India', and ,'Dara Shikoh' by Indo-Iran Society.

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