Minister V S Sunil Kumar assures all support for Pooram

Thrissur: The state government will extend all possible support for the smooth conduct of Thrissur pooram, Agriculture Minister and Thrissur MLA V.S. Sunil Kumar said.  Speaking at a function here on Sunday to present the award for the best news report on this year’s pooram instituted by the Pooram Ekopana Samiti, he said that due to the stringent norms in place for parading elephants and conducting fireworks, year after year, difficulties in conducting a mega festival like Thrissur Pooram was increasing. 

But the government would render all possible help to pooram organizers to hold the fest in all its glory. In April this year, due to the Kollam firework tragedy and an order of the state Forest department on parading elephants, the organizer of Thrissur pooram had withdrawn from conducting the pooram, but later was persuaded by the state government to conduct the fest by relaxing some of the stringent norms for parading elephants and conducing fireworks.

“Prior to the pooram next year, all the three ministers from the district A.C. Moideen, C. Raveendranath and myself will convene a special meeting to review arrangements for the mega fest,” Sunil Kumar said.  At the award ceremony held at Lalur Karthiyani Temple, Sreegesh Vellanikkara of TCV was given the prize for the best report on this year’s pooram. Thiruvambadi Devaswom President Chandrasekara Menon and secretary M Madhavankutty among others were present.