Kozhikode: Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac will officially inaugurate the month-long Malabar Shopping Festival, the first of its kind in the State, at the Corporation Stadium here on Friday.

Around 50 distinguished personalities who have made contributions in different fields will light the traditional lamp to mark the inauguration of the festival at 6 p.m. Lyricist Kaithpram Damodaran Namboothiri will present a musical programme at the inaugural session, Kozhikode Mayor M. Bhaskaran, who is the chairman, and Deputy Mayor P.T. Abdul Latheef, chairman, Finance, of the festival, told presspersons here on Monday.

Conceived on the lines of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), the Rs.50-crore budgeted Malabar Shopping Festival promises to be an exciting event blending exhibition-cum-shopping and entertainment programmes. Music director Tej Mervin will lead a programme in connection with the inaugural function. Singers K.S. Chitra, Srinivas, Afsal and Ganga will render songs. It will be followed by a laser show and fireworks display.

Ministers and heads of various departments will attend the programme. Minister for Industries Elamaram Karim will inaugurate the industrial exhibition while Minister for Forest Benoy Viswom will open the amusement programmes.

Abdul Nabi Al Shoala, former Minister for Labour and Social Affairs, Bahrain, will inaugurate a lucky dip scheme. MPs, MLAs, leaders of political parties and cultural leaders will also attend the inaugural function, Mr. Bhaskaran said.

He said the shopping festival had been designed to give a fillip to the tourism sector, particularly in North Kerala. The State Government is providing financial assistance to make the event successful. Cultural programmes, amusement, sports and entertainment are some of the salient features of the festival.

Exhibition

A month-long exhibition at Swapna Nagari grounds will be a major attraction of the festival. Around 400 stalls, including 110 ones allotted to the Department of Industries and Commerce will display products of different varieties. Electronic majors LG and Samsung, Honda, Maruti, and mobile phone companies will set up stalls.

Shopping can be held from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on working days, while the entry on holidays is from 11 a.m. Amusement programmes have been arranged on the grounds as well as on the beach. The entry fee for adults is Rs.10 and for children, Rs 5.

A drama festival will be held at Model School from January 12 to 18; film festival at Tagore Centenary Hall from January 13 to 19; food festival at Marine Ground from January 13 to 20; national book festival on the Stadium premises from January 5 to 14; beach volleyball from January 11 to 17; and water theme entertainments at Kalipoika from January 6 to 12.

Apsara Grounds will be the venue of the Snow Park from January 8 to 12 and Baby Marine Grounds, ornamental fish exhibition from January 1 to 8. Bungee jumping will be arranged on Kozhikode beach for a month and the one-week helicopter ride at the Medical College grounds.

Magic shows will be conducted at the Zamorin's grounds, Kinasseri Grounds, Muthalakulam and Apsara Grounds on December 25, January 1, 8 and 15 respectively and treasure hunts at different parts of the city on January 7 and 14. Circus shows will be held at Swapna Nagari for a month.

A month-long halwa festival will be organised at the old RDO office near B.E.M. School.

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