Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Decision to hold Onam pageantry

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision to organise pageantry on September 16 in the capital after seven years as a grand finale of the week-long Onam celebrations is in violation of a government order of 2002 that only cultural programmes should be organised as part of the fete.

The decision to organise the pageantry was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Minister for Tourism and Home Kodiyeri Balakrishnan held here on Monday to finalise the State-level Onam celebrations that will commence on September 10.

The government order stated that only cultural programmes should be organised as part of Onam celebrations as pageantry was a severe drain on government resources and the illumination was turning out to be a safety hazard.

Moreover, the spending had also been criticised by the State Planning Board and objections had been raised by the Accountant General as accounts were not filed properly.

The order had also stated that illumination of the East Fort-Vellayambalam stretch was a safety hazard and that many heritage buildings were getting damaged on account of illumination.

The pageantry was costing the exchequer Rs.2.5 crore and government departments, district tourism promotion councils and public sector undertakings had to find their own funds for the floats.

It had also come in for criticism from the tourism sector as it was being organised during lean season. Foreign tourists had not evinced interest when it was organised as Tourism Week celebrations.

Also, the celebrations are being taken up when the State is facing a power crisis.

Official sources told The Hindu that the pageantry would be confined to the district this year and that the buildings and the street would be lit with the help of generators for the fete. A committee has been set up to organise pageantry in the capital.

Pageantry was last held in 2001. It was abandoned in 2002 owing to the boat tragedy at Kumarakom. Efforts to organise pageantry again in 2005 had be shelved as the State Election Commission gave the nod only for the week-long fete.

The week-long celebrations will be held in the capital in 14 venues. As in the previous edition of the fete, Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium will be main venue of the festivities. Malayalam satellite channels will present mega shows in the stadium. Four satellite channels have already confirmed participation.

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