On the 24th of February, Nitin Gadkari Remembers Late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa ji on her birth anniversary.
J. Jayalalithaa, also known as Amma, was a beloved politician and actress who left an indelible mark on the state of Tamil Nadu in India. Her story is one of triumph over adversity, as she rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful women in Indian politics.
Born in 1948 in Mysore, Jayalalithaa was raised by her mother and grandparents after her father passed away when she was just two years old. Despite financial difficulties, she excelled in school and went on to pursue a career in acting.
Jayalalithaa made her debut in the Tamil film industry in 1961 and went on to act in over 140 films in various languages. Her talent and beauty quickly made her a household name, and she became one of the most sought-after actresses of her time.
In 1982, Jayalalithaa joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party and was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament. She was later elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1989 and became the first woman to be appointed Leader of the Opposition.
In 1991, following the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Jayalalithaa was elected as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a position she would hold on and off for the next 14 years. During her tenure, she implemented a number of innovative programs aimed at improving the lives of the state’s residents, including the creation of free public healthcare, the distribution of bicycles to schoolgirls, and the construction of thousands of low-cost houses for the poor.
Jayalalithaa passed away in 2016 at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, determination, and resilience. She was known for her unwavering commitment to the people of Tamil Nadu, and her efforts to improve their lives continue to be felt to this day.
