Passing Of Jayalalithaa Saddens Many Indian Migrant Workers, Malaysian Indians

By R. Ratcharathan KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 7 (Bernama) -- "I could not make myself go to work today after hearing news of her passing," said an Indian migrant worker responding to the death of J. Jayalalithaa, chief minister of Tamil Nadu, India. N. Alegheraj, 51, who works as a waiter at a restaurant, said he had a tough time trying to come to terms with the departure of the six-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu, popularly known as 'Amma' (mother). Alegheraj, whom Bernama talked to, said Jayalalithaa had helped the poor in Tamil Nadu a lot. Jayalalithaa, who was once a popular actress, died at the age of 68 at 11.30pm Indian time on Monday (2am Tuesday in Malaysia) at a hospital in the state capital Chennai where she had been admitted on Sept 22 for a fever, dehydration and a respiratory infection. Another Indian, M. Babu, 48, said he was unable to sleep on Monday night after watching news of her deteriorating health condition. "She was a leader who listened to the grievances of the people. She had done a lot for us and our country," said the fortune-teller. Babu said the 'Amma' chain of canteens introduced by the late chief minister was one of the major contributions of Jayalalithaa to the poor who could get a meal there at a low price. N. Letchumi, 53, a member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) political party led by Jayalalithaa, hailed the 'Puratchi Thalaivi' (revolutionary leader) as a role model for many women around the world. Letchumi, who had come on a visit to Malaysia, said she was sad that she was unable to pay her last respects to Jayalalithaa. "Amma had built many schools, provided many incentives to farmers and fishermen, and given aid to the needy and low-income group," she said. Jayalalithaa, also known as the Iron Lady of India, dominated Tamil Nadu politics for three decades and became chief minister six times. She was born into a Brahmin family in Mysore in Karnataka, a state bordering Tamil Nadu, and was a hugely popular movie star before formally entering politics in 1982. Besides Indian nationals, Malaysian Indians also expressed sadness at the passing of Jayalalithaa, penning their sorrow on Facebook and Twitter. Sathyaseelan Kasevan, in a post on his Facebook account, said: "Teach your daughter about the boldness of Jayalalithaa in the future because there won't be another lady like her again." A person identified only as Suntheran wrote on Twitter: "Jayalalitha ... the best actress the Tamil film industry had seen, the best leader the political industry had earned and a mother Tamil Nadu had gained." Kavithra Devi wrote: "Rest in peace Iron Lady. May your soul rest in peace." --BERNAMA