Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Time for pleasantries

By Our Special Correspondent

After greeting the comedienne, Manorama, who recently won Padma Shri, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, shares a moment with other friends from the film industry— playback singer P. Susheela and M. N. Rajam— who participated in the swearing-in ceremony in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI March 2. After an hour-long swearing-in ceremony at the University Centenary hall here today, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, came down the dais exchange pleasantries with the invitees - many of them from the tinsel world and politicians.

The most touching moment was reserved for the veteren comedienne, Manorama, who recently won the Padma Sree award. Ms. Jayalalithaa kissed her in the forehead and greeted her warmly. She spent some time talking to old friends from the industry - playback singer P. Susheela and heroine of yesteryear, M.N. Rajam.

The film world was present in full strength— Kamal Hassan, Vijaykanth, Sathyaraj and a whole lot of actors and other personalities.

Though Rajinikant was not there, he sent Ms. Jayalalithaa a special message of congratulations and a bouquet, wishing her success.

Also in the audience were the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, K. Anbazhagan, and the Chennai Mayor, M. K. Stalin.

It was time for civilities as the Chief Minister exchanged greetings with them, as also the Congress leader, K.V. Thangabalu.

But no invitations were sent to leaders of political parties, including the CPI(M), the CPI and Tamil Maanila Congress. Asked at a press conference whether the presence of Anbazhagan and Stalin was good beginning, Ms. Jayalalithaa said she was happy they had attended the function, but ``I do no want to read too much meaning into it.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Jayalalithaa sworn in CM
• Immediate job is to clean up financial mess: Jayalalithaa
• Defence forces to utilise funds in time
• Seminar on media language
• A burst of celebrations from dawn
• Time for pleasantries
• `Scribe has nothing to do with ultras'
• `Second generation reforms should focus on cutting red tape'
• Joshi, Vijay Goel greet CM
• Red Cross to form volunteer forum

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu