Christian institutions shaped my personality: Jayalalithaa

Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday said that the education and virtues that she received from the Christian educational institutions where she spent her schooldays alone were the primary reasons for her growth and thanked the teachers for laying a very strong foundation for the rest of her life.

“The education and the virtues that I received from the Christian educational institutions are the primary reasons for my growth.  Whatever I learned during my school days stand by me as unflinching support to me even today....only because of that I am able to discharge any big responsibility with ease.  I wholeheartedly thank my teachers who have laid a very strong foundation for the rest of my life,” she said, speaking at the Christmas celebrations hosted by her.

Jayalalithaa went nostalgic by recalling her school days in Bangalore and Chennai. During her days in Bishop Cotton School in Bangalore, she used to attend the Bible classes on Sundays along with her Christian classmates and thoroughly studied all Bible stories which preach the virtues needed for routine life.  “I take pride in saying that I grew up by practising the virtues I was taught then,” she added.

Referring to the recollection of Archbishop Madras-Mylapore Archdiocese AM Chinnnappa about her role in the film Annai Velankanni many years ago, Jayalalithaa said the film was produced by dance master Thangappan, a Christian.

“Myself and other actors who worked in that film did not receive any remuneration for the same.  I take pride in saying that I have great respect for Christianity and Christians since many many years,”she added.

Hailing the cultural programmes performed by students of  Kalaikkaveri Fine Arts College from Tiruchy, the Chief Minister said by their excellent performance, they proved beyond doubt that art surpasses the barriers of caste, creed etc.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister cut the Christmas cake and offered it to Arch Bishop Chinnappa and he in turn, offered a piece of cake to her. 

Dr Yuhanon Mar Dioscorus,  Archbishop of Indian Orthodox Church, Bishop M Prakash, Synod of the Independent Churches of India  Bishop of Arcot Lutheran Church RD Vijay Kumar, Rabi Bernard, MP and ST Chellapandian, Labour Minister spoke on the occasion. JCD Prabhakar, AIADMK MLA, proposed a vote of thanks.