Jayalalithaa laid to rest with full state honours

Indian PM Narendra Modi paying his last respect to the late Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa, who passed away on Monday Dec 5, 2016.

The 68-year-old failed to recover from a huge cardiac arrest which she suffered on Sunday evening. Amma’s death certainly left many of her supporters in a grieving state and thousands followed the dead body from hospital to her residence in Poes Garden, Chennai. Earlier Jayalalithaa showed tough time to Kamal Hassan during the release of Vishwaroopam and stalled the release of the movie several times.

Jayalalithaa, the five-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu state, ran her AIADMK party with an iron hand and appointed no second line of leadership or successor.

Jaya’s last rites will be held here with thousands immersed in a pall of gloom.

The central government has declared a one-day state mourning on Tuesday over her demise. Schools and colleges in the state will be closed for three days. The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister was under treatment in the Apollo Hospitals since September 22, due to lung infection. Thirty-one ministers were also sworn-in with him.

“What she did for women, the mothers and daughters, made her Amma (mother)”.

She was widely referred as “Amma” by the people of Tamil Nadu. “Her contribution to the progress and development of Tamil Nadu will be long remembered”.

Meanwhile, tributes are being paid to Jayalalithaa at Rajaji Hall in Chennai where her mortal remains have been kept in the state.

“She was charismatic and able to attract and convince people and secure votes”. She has been paired with leading actors like N T Rama Rao, Akkineni Nageswara Rao, Krishna, Jaggiah, and Krishnam Raju and with well-known actresses like Jamuna, Vanisri and Savitri.

“Our plants in Chennai will remain shut for today (Tuesday) as a mark of respect to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister”, said a Hyundai Motor official.

Eight chief ministers which include Arvind Kejriwal of Delhi, Maharashtra’s Devendra Fadnavis, and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi will be at the funeral. A very very popular leader.