A pictorial tribute to heroine turned super politician Jayalalithaa

Agencies

December 6, 2016

Before she joined politics, Jayalalithaa was one of Tamil Nadu's most popular film stars. This is a poster for a re-release of the film 'Aayirathil Oruvan'(One in a Thousand), in which Jayalalithaa starred alongside M G Ramachandran for the very first time.

Jayalalithaa is professionally trained in classical music, western classical piano, and various forms of classical dance, including Bharatanatyam, Mohiniattam, Manipuri and Kathak.

The peak of Jayalalithaa's glittering film career occured between 1965 and 1990. During this period, she acted in over 140 films, around 120 of which were blockbuster hits.

Jayalalithaa represented the AIADMK in the Rajya Sabha between 1984 and 1989. She was elected there after MGR wanted her in New Delhi for her fluency in English and knowledge of several languages.

Jayalalithaa greets supporters from the balcony of her residence on May 13, 2011, the day on which her party won that year's Assembly polls. The gesture she's making represent's the AIADMK's symbol - the 'Rettai Illai' or 'double leaf'

Jayalalithaa is seen here with her close friend and confidante, Sasikala Natarajan, who was considered to be the second most powerful woman in the AIADMK. Their joint appearance at a lavish wedding of Sasikala's nephew, V N Sudhakaran (also Jayalalithaa's foster son, who she later disowned), created a controversy and brought down the AIADMK government in the 1996 election.

A supporter of Jayalalithaa exults after she's acquitted in a disproportionate assets case by the Karnataka High Court in May 2015, just months after a Bengaluru-based trial court sentenced her to four years in jail in September 2014, disqualifying her as Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister. She was granted bail after about a month in jail, and was re-instated as CM in May 2015.

Jayalalithaa seen next to her mentor and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M G Ramachandran's statue, on his 28th death anniversary. After MGR passed away in 1987, his party split into two factions - one behind Jayalalithaa, and the other behind MGR's widow, Janaki Ramachandran. Janaki stepped aside after Jayalalithaa's faction won 27 seats in the 1989 Assembly election - 25 more than Janaki's.

Jayalalithaa returns after filing her nomination from the RK Nagar constituency in Chennai ahead of the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly polls. Her party, the AIADMK, won the elections, making her the first Tamil Nadu Chief Minister in 32 years to be voted back to power.

For Jayalalithaa's party members and supporters, she is their beloved 'Amma' or 'Mother'. Here, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's supporters cry outside Chennai's Apollo Hospital after she suffered a cardiac arrest.

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SMR Public School’s ‘EXCELLENTIA’ highlights academic excellence and holistic growth

News Network

December 16,2025

Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present.

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Major facelift for Mangaluru's sporting heart: Mangala Stadium set for 2-month closure to upgrade synthetic track

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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