Bishop Cotton staffers have sweet memories of Jayalalithaa

From shy girl to strong leader

Bishop Cotton Girls’ School in Bengaluru, on Tuesday, mourned the death of one of its most illu­s­trious alumnae, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalali­t­h­a­a.

Cut-outs of Amma were put up in front and at the back gate of the school. A prayer session for the ex-Cottonian was conducted at the school auditorium in the morning. From teachers, maintenance staff to security guards, everybody associated with the school took part in the prayer and offered their condolences.

Sarayu Perumal, an ex-Cotto­nian and currently, the president of the Old Girls’ Association, said, “She studied here from class II to class IV. She was a shy student and it is amazing how she turned into a powerful politician and independent woman. She is an inspiration to the youth.” The Association keeps track of all eminent alumni of the school.

Shobha V and Manjula S B, who work in the maintenance department at the school, said that they felt proud to be associated with the school. “She is like our mother and not just Amma for Tamil Nadu,” they said.Jayalalithaa studied in the school from 1955-1958, according to the Association. Sarayu said that the school had ordered for a framed picture of the former chief minister, following her death. “It will be placed in an eminent place on the school premises, I am sure,” she said. 

A memorial meeting will be held at the school assembly grounds 2 pm onwards on Wednesday. Sources said ex-Cottonians who studied with the former chief minister will share their thoughts about her.

Used to send b’day goodies
The administration staff and former students fondly recall how Jayalalithaa used to celebrate her birthday on February 24 every year by despatching sweet boxes to the school.
“From the early 2000s, Jayalalithaa used to send sweetmeat every year, without fail. There are over 4,300 girls and 262 staff here and everyone used to get the sw­e­ets, sent by her th­ro­u­gh party workers,” said a school staffer.