Jayalalithaa excelled in studies, sports: Classmates

Bengaluru: A Burmese teacher had the habit of addressing her students as, ‘You woman!’ One day, while she was facing the board, a small girl imitated her, softly saying ‘you woman!’ behind her back. Her classmates burst out laughing, for which they all had to stay back as punishment.

This mischievous, happy-go-lucky girl grew on to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Jayalalithaa Jayaram, passed away on December 5, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to linger in the minds of her supporters.

Stepping aside from the political limelight, there is more to her as person, student and child. A memorial service was held by Bishop Cotton’s Girls’ High School, where she studied from kindergarten (January 18, 1952) to 4th grade (April 17, 1958). Her old classmates talked about the Jayalalithaa they knew, at an impressionable age.

“All of us were children going about aimlessly but she had ambition all around. She was brilliant, had grit, excellent at studies and sports, two areas where we both would compete but in good spirit,” said Alice Jesuadian, her former classmate.

“When asked about her grade, she would shyly say A, with utmost humility. I don’t think she ever got a B. She was great at sports too, especially in 100 and 200 metre relays. She was fun and also responsible,” said Dorothy Sampath, another classmate.

Jayalalithaa never forgot her roots, even after making it big in the political arena. She kept in touch with the school and would send sweets every year for her birthday on February 24.

Former Principal Stella Samuel showed a letter she received from Jayalalithaa in 2003.  “Look at this beautiful file she sent the letter in. She wrote a touching letter, thanking me for the birthday wishes. She signed it in green ink,” Dr. Stella said proudly, while clutching on to the file.

When Stella became the Principal in 1999, she went out of her way to dig up old files and find documents or photos of Jayalalithaa. She got the old class photo restored, contacted Jayalalithaa's old classmates and even made copies of the admission list, where her name was written.

Her oratory skills, vocabulary, fluency in Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and English were accompanied by an outgoing and humble nature, the school said.

“Her happy persona never revealed the difficult childhood she faced. She never asked for pity. I think God put me in close association with her. I am deeply saddened by her death,” said Fathima Jaffer.