Government offices, educational institutions shut, 3-day mourning in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All government offices, courts and educational institutions were shut today in Kerala where a three-day mourning has been declared as a mark of respect to late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

While the government earlier in the day declared that all its offices and educational institutions, including professional colleges will remain shut today, the state cabinet met this morning and decided to observe a three day mourning to pay homage to Jayalalithaa, whom Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan described as an unparcelled leader gifted with rare political acumen and administrative skills.

The cabinet meeting, which began with a minute's silence, expressed condolence at the passing away of Jayalalithaa and concluded without taking up any of listed agenda.

It also passed a resolution expressing condolence at the passing away of Jayalalithaa.

The cabinet also decided to observe a three-day mourning from December six. All Government programmes, scheduled to be held during the three days, would be held without any ostentatious display.

All state government offices, state owned PSUs, High Court and other Courts in the state and educational institutions, including professional colleges will not function today.

Examinations to be conducted by various universities in the state today have been postponed.

A high-level delegation led by Governor P Sathasivam and Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would be paying their respects to the departed leader.

In his condolence message, Sathasivam said Jayalalithaa was the greatest woman political leader in contemporary India, who possessed the "perfect blending of the strong will of an able administrator and the compassion of a philanthropist."

Vijayan described Jayalalithaa as an extraordinary politician.