The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Onam holiday in Chennai?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Sep 25, 2006
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Onam holiday in Chennai?

Staff Reporter

Arcot Veerasamy to make representation to Chief Minister

FOLK ART: Union Minister for Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi (third from left), watches a traditional art form of Kerala at the `Aavanipoovarangu 2006' an annual event by the Confederation of Tamil Nadu Malayalee Associations held on Sunday. — P HOTO: Shaju John

CHENNAI : If all goes well, next Onam in Chennai may be a public holiday, thanks to the efforts of State Minister for Electricity Arcot N. Veerasamy.

While speaking at `Aavanipoovarangu 2006' an annual event by the Confederation of Tamil Nadu Malayalee Associations (CTMA) held on Sunday, he said that he would represent to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to make the Malayalee festival a holiday in the city too (Kanyakumari, the Nilgiris and Coimbatore already observe the day as a public holiday).

President of CTMA, M. Nanda Govind in his speech, requested the ministers present at the eventto bring back the government concession on the railways for transporting the dead to Kerala. Minister for Overseas Affairs Vayalar Ravi said he would ask Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to increase the frequency of trains to Kerala.

The function, which was held at St George Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School ground, Poonamallee High Road, was packed. Visitors sampled Malayalee food from various stalls, watched traditional Kerala dance forms such as Theyyam and listened to the Shingari Melam drummers.

Malayalam comedian Jagathy Sreekumar, the `star of the night', was the toast of the crowd.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu