On February 24, we commemorate the birth anniversary of one of India’s most charismatic and influential leaders, Jayalalithaa, fondly remembered as Amma. Born in 1948,
Jayalalithaa’s journey from a young actress to a revered political figure is nothing short of remarkable.
Amma’s contribution towards the development of Tamil Nadu will be remembered for generations. Jayalalithaa is remembered for her courage and confidence in governance.
Jayalalithaa’s entry into politics was marked by her association with the legendary M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), the founder of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Under his mentorship, she quickly rose through the ranks, showcasing her administrative prowess and unwavering dedication to the welfare of the people.
As the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa left an indelible mark on the state’s political landscape. Her tenure was characterised by a series of transformative initiatives aimed at uplifting the marginalized sections of society. From implementing groundbreaking welfare schemes to championing women’s rights, Jayalalithaa’s leadership was defined by her commitment to social justice and inclusive development.
Jayalalithaa completed her education at Sacred Heart Matriculation School in Chennai. As a student, she excelled at her studies and was offered a scholarship to pursue further education. She won the Gold State Award for coming first in Class 10 in Tamil Nadu.
Fluent in several languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam and English, Jayalalithaa is also trained in classical music, western classical piano, and various forms of classical dance.
Jayalalithaa was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and she served as the Chief Minister of the state four other times, from 1991 to 1996, 2001, 2002 to 2006, and 2011 to 2014. She became the 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 18th Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
The actor turned politician was remembered by Edapaddi K Palaniswami also known as EPS, who was ruled in favour to remain as party’s interim general secretary by the Supreme Court on Thursday. “On the birth anniversary of Amma, the leader of the people who achieved many great achievements, the leader of the revolution with historical victories and immense fame, I am committed to fulfilling the dream of the century and worshipping her glory,” he wrote, remembering her contributions for the state. “All party workers are happy due to today’s verdict. Tomorrow is the 75th birthday of Amma (Jayalalithaa), her blessings have been showered on us….” EPS had said on the top court’s verdict.
