Jayalalithaa dies: Singapore Foreign Minister Balakrishnan to travel to India to pay tribute

A press release from the Foreign Affairs ministry said Vivian Balakrishnan will travel to India

Jayalalithaa
J. Jayalalithaa, leader of Anna Dravida Munetra Khazhgam (AIADMK) flashes a victory sign toward her supporters from the balcony of her residence after winning state election in the southern Indian city of Chennai May 13, 2011. Reuters

Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, along with other officials from the ministry will be flying down to India to pay his last tribute to Jayalalithaa Jayaraman, the Chief Minister of the Southern State of Tamil Nadu who passed away on 5 December after suffering a massive cardiac arrest.

A press release from the Foreign Affairs ministry also confirmed the news.

The 68-year-old All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam supremo was battling against prolonged illness, induced by respiratory infection, for more than two months. She was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai on 22 September after she complained of fever and dehydration.

"Every possible clinical attempt was made to sustain her revival. However, despite our best efforts the Honourable Chief Minister's underlying conditions rendered her unable to recover and she passed away at 11.30 pm today (5.12.2016)," said a statement released by The Apollo hospital where the ailing leader was admitted.also read:

Also read: India: Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa dies aged 68 after suffering cardiac arrest

"We have worked tirelessly, combining the might of clinical and technological resources at our command with the spirit of healing and compassion that inspires us. We join the nation and the people of the state of Tamil Nadu in deeply mourning her loss," it added.

Earlier also Balakrishnan extended his supported to Jayalalithaa in 2015 when the state was ravaged by flood. Singapore Red Cross has launched a "South India Floods 2015" public appeal and the government contributed US$75,000 to Tamil Nadu.

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