Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje recently visited the C-Scheme residence of ex-Assembly Speaker Sumitra Singh to check on her health. The two leaders, during their meeting, discussed their shared experiences in public life and a significant chapter in Rajasthan’s political past.
Sumitra Singh, aged 97, praised Vasundhara Raje’s tenure as Chief Minister for its focus on women’s empowerment. She highlighted a historic moment when three women held the state’s top three constitutional offices simultaneously. Vasundhara Raje became Rajasthan’s first female Chief Minister on December 8, 2003, followed by Sumitra Singh’s election as the state’s first female Speaker on January 20, 2004.
Sumitra Singh recalled the unique period when Pratibha Devisingh Patil became Rajasthan’s first female Governor on November 8, 2004. She described this convergence of women in top positions as a remarkable milestone in the state’s political history. Singh also mentioned various initiatives introduced during Vasundhara Raje’s first term (2003-08) to empower women, such as the Bhamashah Yojana and schemes promoting girls’ education.
Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed her well wishes for Sumitra Singh’s health and longevity during the visit. The two leaders engaged in a conversation, reminiscing about past memories. Sumitra Singh highlighted the significance of having three women in Rajasthan’s highest positions for the first time during the 2003-2008 period.
