Kerala - Kochi   

Thousands of children enter the world of letters

— Photo: H.Vibhu

Starting strong: A child being initiated into the world of letters at the Valanjambalam Devi Temple in the city on Sunday.

KOCHI: Thousands of children were initiated into the world of letters in temples and at various public and private functions. People from all walks of life participated in the functions that transcended religion.

In the city, several functions were held in which teachers were invited to be the chief guest and help children with their first letters.

Temples, both big and small, led the Vidyarambha Saraswathi pooja, where people gathered for the day’s ritual. Chottanikkara Devi Temple, Ernakulathappan Temple, Valanjambalam Devi Temple, and Pavakkulam Mahadeva Temple witnessed large crowds in the morning. There was huge rush at the Paravoor Mookambika Temple today.

The day of learning was celebrated by the Jacobite Syrian Church; bringing in a flavour of religious harmony. At the St. Thomas Church in Kakkanad, many children were initiated into learning by Fr. Varghese Kallapara.

Writers M.K. Sanu, M. Leelavathi and Vishwambharan; K.P. Radhakrishna Menon, former Ombudsman; K.S. Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit; and C.K. Ramachandran, former professor at the Kozhikode Medical College were some of the prominent persons who took part in the functions.

As the day marks an auspicious beginning for all fine arts, especially dance and music, it was a busy day at most of the centres that teach these arts. Many such centres had a three-day Navaratri festival culminating on Sunday.

It is a day on which teachers are remembered for what they are, said S. Jayachandran, former professor, who did his bit by initiating a few children in the locality. Chandra Mohan, who teaches music, feels that the tradition also helps people respect what they want to learn.

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