Popular leader dies

Jayaram Jayalalithaa, the hugely popular south Indian actress who later turned to politics and became the highest elected official in the state of Tamil Nadu, has died. She was 68. She died after undergoing surgery following a heart attack in the southern Indian city of Chennai. Tamil Nadu declared a seven-day mourning period starting yesterday in honour of the politician known by her followers as “Amma”, which means “Mother” in the Tamil language. Jayalalithaa inspired intense loyalty among film fans and political supporters alike.