Selvi J Jayalalithaa’s little known facet..

Her heartbeat for the intellectual fraternity who in turn would do great good for the people of Tamil Nadu was praiseworthy. She had a knack of helping the needy by supporting deserving initiatives and right causes.

My first encounter with the lioness woman I have known Dr J Jayalalithaa from 1988. When I started my career after forming Madras Medical Mission in rented premises of Vijaya Hospital, I got a call from CM’s office that she was coming to the hospital with a patient. I told them that she need not take the trouble of coming, and I could visit her. But she insisted and came with the patient. She said that all leading cardiologists had advised an Open Heart Surgery but she wanted one more opinion from a Surgeon. It was at that time we installed Cardiac Catheterization Lab in a room renovated from a kitchen. 

The then SPG Chief Mr RM Savani rang me up and informed me that the Chief Minister would be arriving in half an hour with the patient and she reached at 7.00 pm. On examining the patient, I was not convinced that the patient needed an Open Heart Surgery, so we did a Cardiac Catheterization to rule out the need for surgery. I told the CM, there was absolutely nothing to worry about the patient’s health and that they can stay for just a few hours and resume regular life. She informed the patient that, “This is Dr Cherian’s Birthday gift to you, that you do not need any surgery”. This is my first encounter with the Hon’ble Chief Minister. 

The undeterred support from laying the foundation till the inauguration of Madras Medical Mission – only a few can conceive big dreams coming into a reality

1986: Late Chief Minister Dr MGR gave the permission to start The Madras Medical Mission, which was acquired by the Housing Board three times. But after various stages of his illness and demise, we had to pursue the same with his successor Selvi J Jayalalithaa. Did Selvi J Jayalalithaa come to our aid? How? Rest next week.