Thiruvananthapuram: All arguments raised against the annual Onam pageantry after the LDF came to power – environmental mess, unnecessary expenditure, traffic snarls – have been officially withdrawn. Like in previous years, the celebrations will culminate with the traffic-stopping float-filled procession on September 18.
The reason tourism minister A.C. Moideen had publicly stated to do away with the pageantry, however, was quite different. He had said that the elections had not left government departments enough time to prepare their floats.
The minister on Wednesday admitted that he had said so, but expressed his disappointment that the government decision was not understood in the right spirit. “The move to do away with the pageantry was given a dimension that was quite at odds with our intention,” the minister said. He also made it clear that the decision was annulled to avoid “unseemly controversies”. Right wing groups had painted the move as anti-Hindu.
Moideen still stood by his earlier stand that departments would get less time for preparation. Usually departments begin preparation at least three months in advance. Onam week begins on September 12:
The government’s official Onam celebration will begin from September 12 and conclude on September 18 with the pageantry. A trade fair and food festival will be organized at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds as part of the Onam week; Kazhakuttam, Neyyatinkara, Attingal, and Sri Chithira Thirunal Park at Fort are the new venues.
