Last journey of iron lady

It was 11 pm on December 5 and the crowd had gone uncomfortably silent on a cold night. There were no loud cries, sloganeering or the frenzy to get closer to the gates of Apollo Hospitals. Except for the on-camera narration of the events by the visual media colleagues and occasional sirens of ambulances and police vehicles, there were hardly any noise. But the unease was evident on the faces of everyone gathered in the vicinity. By then all the people who gathered them knew they were in for news that they really did not want to hear. And, what they dreaded the most happened at 12.14 am on Tuesday, when the hospital authorities issued a one-page statement announcing the sad demise of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

With the announcement, the crowd started pushing and shoving again, this time hoping to get a place near the hospital gate so they could stand closer when their beloved leader’s mortal remains were carried out of the hospital. Exactly after two hours and 20 minutes, the convoy of Jayalalithaa proceeded out of the hospital premises. After four to five vehicles, came an ordinary Flying Squad ambulance carrying the mortal remains of arguably the most famous woman in Tamil Nadu. 

Death comes as a great leveller, goes a saying. J Jayalalithaa, who would not have stepped out of Veda Nilayam, her residence at the poshest Poes Garden, without a car and an elaborate entourage, was on her final journey in an ordinary ambulance. Even the lights were not turned on inside the ambulance and there she lay in utter darkness, unaware of what was happening around her, without seeing the thousands of supporters, who had been staying put near the hospital. 

There were no signs of her CM status, except for the pilot and escort provided to her as usual. State ministers, who also are used to luxury were all boarded in a tempo traveller. “She died as she lived, as alone as always,” one among those gathered there was heard murmuring. In spite of being surrounded by party supporters and well-wishers all the time, people who knew her well say that she always had an inherent feeling of loneliness. When all her aids travelled in the vehicles that accompanied the ambulance, Jaya was alone inside the vehicle without even her close aide Sasikala.

Hours later, after millions paid homage to her at the Rajaji Hall, she again started her lonely journey, this time with full state honours and in a special vehicle with floral decoration. A 68-year-long life, that became famous first with her stardom as an artiste and later with the unmatched power in the world of Tamil Nadu politics, was laid to rest at Marina later in the evening on Tuesday.

September 22: Chief Minister J Jayalaithaa admitted to Apollo Hospitals on Greams Road for fever and dehydration.

September  23: CM continues to be in hospital, but put on normal diet.

September  25: Rumours continue to float about the CM being taken abroad for treatment, but sources from the hospital deny them.

September  29: The hospital released another statement, saying evaluation tests were being conducted.

September  30: DMK president M Karunanidhi, while wishing her speedy recovery, urged the State to put an end to speculations.

October 1: A press communique released by Raj Bhavan stated that Governor Vidyasagar Rao was taken to the ward where the CM was given treatment and explained in detail on the treatment given to her.

October 2: Dr Richard Beale, who was specially flown in from London, reportedly held a discussion with doctors at Apollo, indicating that she would continue to be in the hospital.

October 3: According to a release from Apollo Hospitals, the CM was responding adequately to the comprehensive treatment.

October 8: The hospital announces that she is undergoing lung decongestion. All the other comprehensive measures are underway.

October 22: TN Governor visits hospital again. Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, Dr Pratap C Reddy, briefs the Governor on the treatment being given to Jayalalithaa by experts.

October 29: Jayalalithaa signs poll paper with thumbprint.

November 16: Jayalalithaa’s first statement after being admitted to hospital released. It says, “I have taken rebirth because of people’s prayers”.

November 18: Apollo Hospitals Chairman Pratap Reddy says the CM could breathe normally and she could be discharged, whenever she was ready to go home.

November 19: Jayalalithaa shifted to special room in the hospital.

November 25: Dr Reddy says CM is doing well and speaking using a valve attached to the tracheostomy tube as she continues to get treatment.

December 4: After rumours about CM being ready for discharge, hospital says, she suffered cardiac arrest.

December 5: Hospital says CM’s condition remains critical and continues to be on ECMO and other life support systems.

December 6: Around 12.30 am, a statement from Apollo officially announced that CM passed away at 11.30 pm on December 5.