Homage to AMMA (1948 - 2016) - [From a MGR Follower to Fan to True Follower to AMMA Follower]
Iron Lady who fought for Love, Affection from her birth till the Last day of her life. The Love , Affection , Respect she got from people of all ages 5th Night and 6th December 2016 is the ultimate showering which she couldn't see or hear or feel. You have to be in Rajaji Hall to see and believe the outpouring of grief the common people showered when they saw the mortal remains of 'their beloved ÁMMA'. The grief poured out from the heart when women cried out ÁMMA' - who is their now to take care of us. Yes, finally a leader who truly wanted to serve the people of downtrodden - the various welfare schemes are the legacy she leaves behind.
AMMA's life from the beginning itself is filled with Sorrow and Desperation. Lost her father when she is 2 years old - who squandered the wealth by gambling and other means. Mother who has to support the 2 children single-handedly by making a career through acting. AMMA missed her mother dearly as whenever she wanted her mother was not there with her -during the school functions, during her birthdays etc., AMMA understood the circumstances which forced her mother not to be with them always. AMMA excelled in studies during her school days and had got awards as an outstanding student in school.
AMMA when circumstances forced her to become an actor , which she was not interested at all - she excelled in films too - nearly 140 films and during her peak she was the highest paid actor(ess) in whole of Indian Film Industry. Her relationship with MGR - her mentor in Film Industry - in Politics which shaped her life completely. Her relationship with MGR which made her join Politics - became Propaganda secretary - Rajya Sabha MP - then General Secretary - to Chief Minister of Tamilnadu.
In Films there were so many instances when she was insulted by very people who was close to MGR - as they don't want her to become close to MGR - MGR Supported her / helped her - but MGR in later times disowned her also.
In Politics during that time late 1970's to Early 80's when she started her career with the help and support of MGR - blossomed to be a Propaganda Secretary in AIADMK to Rajya Sabha MP - many instances where she was insulted - attacked - faced wrath from the DMK politicians - during that time street meetings were held to insult AMMA - you have to hear to believe what they spoke in those meetings.
Who can forget the insult she faced during the last months / days of MGR - even during the day when MGR was announced dead - nobody allowed her to see MGR's face in Ramavaram Gardens - all the doors were closed - and in the Rajaji Hall - all the Janaki Ammals' women friends and relatives would stand behind AMMA and pinch her, kick her, hit her from behind - as AMMA was standing near the cortege of her beloved mentor MGR - to get her move our from their. It was her indomitable will which made her stand there for 13 hours on first day and 8 hours on second day continuously - she didn't moved an inch from that place. The ultimate is throwing her out from the gun carriage when she tried to get in.
History will not rest, without mentioning the insults she faced at the assembly in 1987 - the same assembly which stood in rapt attention, mesmerised by her eloquent speeches, she stood like a towering personality - nobody could match her charismatic personality and her brilliance.
She became chief minister - she single handedly won the state and parliament elections --> 1991 - 1996; 2001 - 2006; 2011 - 2016 and 2016;
Administratively she was brilliant at the way which she drove tamilnadu into one of the model developed state in India - made Tamilnadu an Automatic Industrial Hub - developed the services industry (Paved the growth of Tamilnadu in IT Sector); Scores of welfare schemes - thottil kuzhandhai scheme, AMMA Unavagam etc., , innumerable welface schemes..
During 2006 - 2011 -- she drove the Government staffs to bow before her when they went onto strike and she successfully nullified it. She muzzled the might of the Government staffs by running the show - when everybody thought she cannot do that.
There are highs and lows in her political life as in her Life - but she fought all alone and in all the fights she won - that too all alone. It was truly remarkable that she with no political family support and alone single-handedly fought and won in this male dominated and feudalistic mentality of political world - she successfully made a mark in Regional as well as in National Politics.
It was unbelievable show of emotion by people - Makkalukka Naan - which the people believed - the people who are coming and paying the respects to her Samadhi - last resting place - it was not a crowd which was brought or bought - it was a crowd which came from all over tamilnadu just to show their love and affection to their beloved ÁMMA'
Will the world see another AMMA!!! It won't.
Rest well AMMA !!!!
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