Vasundhara Raje Meets Former Speaker Sumitra Singh

She recalled that Vasundhara Raje became Rajasthan's first woman Chief Minister on December 8, 2003. Subsequently, Sumitra Singh was elected as the state's first woman Speaker of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on January 20, 2004.

Later, on November 8, 2004, Pratibha Devisingh Patil assumed office as Rajasthan's first woman Governor. Sumitra Singh described the period as a unique "Triveni Sangam" of women occupying the state's top constitutional positions simultaneously, calling it a rare milestone in the country's political history.

She also highlighted several initiatives introduced during Vasundhara Raje's first term (2003-08) to promote women's empowerment, including Bhamashah Yojana, aimed at strengthening the financial role of women by making them the heads of beneficiary families; 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institution elections; scooty and bicycle schemes to encourage girls' education and improve access to schools and colleges.

According to Sumitra Singh, these initiatives later served as models for several other states.

During the visit, Vasundhara Raje wished Sumitra Singh good health and a long life, praying for her continued well-being. In a post on X, she said, "I visited the residence of 97-year-old former Assembly Speaker Smt. Sumitra Singh Ji, who has been unwell, to inquire about her well-being. After several days, upon meeting, the two of us engaged in a long discussion reminiscing about old memories. Sumitra Ji recalled how, during the tenure from 2003 to 2008, three women in Rajasthan were, for the first time, appointed to the state's highest positions."