PM Modi pays tribute to ‘charismatic leader’ Jayalalithaa on 78th birth anniversary
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid rich tribute to former Tamil Nadu chief minister, late J Jayalalithaa, and said she made a place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a charismatic leader and an outstanding administrator.
On the 78th birth anniversary of the AIADMK stalwart, the prime minister also said that as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalithaa championed welfare-driven governance with a strong focus on women empowerment, social justice and inclusive development.
“Remembering Jayalalithaa Ji on her birth anniversary. She has made a place in the hearts and minds of countless people as a charismatic leader and outstanding administrator," Modi wrote on X.
Stating that her life journey was one of immense grit and determination, Modi said, “She was both compassionate and decisive. I recall with great joy my interactions with her.”
The prime minister also recalled what he said about Jayalalithaa in his monthly radio address, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, on Sunday.
In the programme, Modi said she lives in the hearts of the people as she took commendable efforts for the welfare of women and maintenance of law and order.
The mention of 'Amma Jayalalithaa' brings a glow to the faces of the people of Tamil Nadu, while the connection of the country's 'Nari Shakti' with her has been even more special, the prime minister said.
He said that in India, those who work for the welfare of society, those who prioritise the public in their noble deeds, always remain in the hearts of the people.
The prime minister said Jayalalithaa was one such popular leader, and he can still feel the deep affection the people of Tamil Nadu had for her whenever he visits the state.
This is also because, while in government, she made many commendable efforts for the welfare of mothers, sisters and daughters and also took concrete steps to maintain law and order, the prime minister said in ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
Recalling their friendship, he said Jayalalithaa attended two of his swearing-in ceremonies as chief minister of Gujarat, in 2002 and 2012.
"When we were both chief ministers, we often discussed topics like good governance. Her thinking was crystal clear, and her thoughts were uncluttered. This was a significant characteristic of her," Modi said in his monthly address.
The prime minister also said that many years ago, Jayalalithaa invited him to Chennai for lunch on the occasion of Pongal.
“That affectionate gesture will remain with me. Once again, I pay my humble tributes to her. Her services to the people will always be remembered,” Modi said.
Popular as 'Amma', Jayalalithaa served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu multiple times between 1991 and 2016.
She passed away on December 5, 2016.
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Rupee falls 28 paise to 94.77 against US dollar in early trade
Mumbai (PTI): The rupee depreciated 28 paise to 94.77 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday as market sentiment took a dramatic turn after reports emerged that the US and Iran are discussing a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at reducing tensions and reopening negotiations.
Forex traders said Brent oil prices, which had fallen to USD 98 on the US-Iran peace deal, edged slightly higher to USD 101 per barrel after investors weighed the prospects for a Middle East peace deal.
Moreover, factors such as unabated foreign capital outflows amid rising geopolitical uncertainties further dented investor sentiment.
At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 94.77 against the US dollar, registering a fall of 28 paise over its previous close.
On Wednesday, the rupee appreciated 69 paise to close at 94.49 against the US dollar.
"Markets are currently focused on the critical 48-hour window during which the US expects Tehran’s formal response through Pakistani mediators," said CR Forex Advisors MD Amit Pabari.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened Iran with more bombing if it doesn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz, amid a report that the warring sides were nearing an agreement to end the war.
US media outlet Axios reported, quoting US officials and two other sources, that the US and Iran were getting close to a one-page memorandum of understanding to end the war and set a framework for more detailed nuclear negotiations.
The US expects Iranian responses on several key points over the next 48 hours, Axios reported, adding that nothing has been agreed yet. This was the closest the parties had been to an agreement since the war began.
Meanwhile, the dollar index, which gauges the greenback's strength against a basket of six currencies, was trading at 98.01, down 0.01 per cent.
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, was trading higher by 0.65 per cent at USD 101.83 per barrel in futures trade.
On the domestic equity market front, the 30-share benchmark index Sensex declined 160.24 points to 77,798.28 in early trade, while the Nifty was down 30.25 points to 24,300.70.
Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth Rs 5,834.90 crore on Wednesday, according to exchange data.
On the domestic macroeconomic front, the country's goods and services exports rose 4.6 per cent to an all-time high of USD 863.11 billion during 2025-26, up from USD 825.26 billion in 2024-25, despite global economic uncertainties, according to revised commerce ministry data.
Merchandise exports grew 0.93 per cent to USD 441.78 billion in the last fiscal year from USD 437.70 billion in 2024-25, the data showed.
