The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Show of colour, glamour

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Sunday, May 04, 2008
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Kerala - Kochi

Show of colour, glamour

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: On Saturday, the Durbar Hall was filled with colours – depicting the energy of the youth. The inaugural ceremony of Kerala Youth Forum 2008, organised by Kerala State Youth Welfare Board, did not lack in colour or glamour.

The cynosure of all those who gathered for the inaugural session was, of course, actor Mammootty.

Without waiting for the Chief Minister, who was to come from Kozhikode, the function got going once the cultural procession reached the ground.

The procession, which started from Marine Drive, featured chenda artistes, kavadi and representatives of youth from eight States.

In his address, Mr. Mammootty wondered whether it wasn’t time that the State government wound up giving unemployment allowance to the youth and started employment programmes using that fund. In his address, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said that the modern youth’s tendency to be concerned only about oneself goes against the democratic values of the nation.

Policy draft released

Earlier in the day, Minister for Finance T.M. Thomas Isaac said that youth should start taking interest in agriculture. He was inaugurating the delegates’ meeting. Youth Welfare Board vice-president Sreeramakrishnan presided.

Minister for Youth Affairs M. Vijayakumar released the draft of the Youth Policy by handing over it over to T. Siddique, State president of KSU (I). Minister for Forests Binoy Viswam made the keynote address.

Minister for Local Self Government Paloli Mohammed Kutty will inaugurate the valedictory session of delegates’ meeting on Sunday. The Youth Forum 2008 will end on May 8.

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