Thousand foreigners to be part of Kerala’s Onam festival

Kerala Tourism is all set to start the harvest festival of God’s Own Country, Onam celebrations from August 24 onwards.  The department has said that it will ensure than atleast 1000 foreign tourists will participate in the festivities. “The department will ensure that green protocol is observed and there will also be cultural programmes by celebrities and famous artists,” said Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism. He was addressing a gathering at an official’s meeting held in this regard at the Thycaud guest house today.

The procession, which would be held on the last day of the festival (August 30), would be way different from the previous years. “The procession on August 30 would catch the eye of the international audience. The tourism department has already started taking measures to make sure that atleast 1000 tourists will attend the celebrations,” said the minister.

Cultural programmes by eminent artists and celebrities will be staged on all the seven days of the celebrations. “All departments have to participate in the festival on the last day with still plots,” said Kadakampally. He also urged the departments and concerned officials to ensure that green protocol is observed throughout the festival.

Procession Committee Chairman, D K Murali MLA and C K Divakaran MLA also spoke at the event. Tourism Secretary Rani George, Thiruvananthapuram Collector K Vasuki, Tourism Director P Balakiran, City Police Commissioner P Prakash, KTDC Managing Director Rahul were also present at the event.