The CPI (M) led Kerala Government recently ran into trouble when they hesitated to conduct grand Onam celebrations in Government offices and schools. They also decided to stop the tradition of organizing pageantry. But now, the Government has taken a U-turn, and has decided to conduct the annual onam celebrations in a stylish manner; that too with a colorful pageantry and grand “Sadhya”.
Tourism Minister A C Moideen confirmed this news, and he stated that the grand celebrations will be organized by the Tourism Department from September 12 - 18, 2016. The celebrations will be inaugurated by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
According to reports, members of the transgender community will also take part in the celebrations which will be organized in the city.
“We have taken the decision with good intention and there is no need for any row over the issue now. Also, the ninth-edition of three-day Kerala Travel Mart, considered to be the largest gathering of tourism, will begin on September 27″, said A C Moideen as per an NDTV report.
Credible sources claim that more than 57 countries will participate in the trade event this year. Out of the 57 countries, 10 are new participants. China, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Georgia, Chile, Greece, Iran and Botswana are the new entries which will debut in this prestigious trade event.
The tourism growth rate of the state has been declining for the past few years, and the minister believes that the grand Onam celebrations will help in reviving the old glory of God’s Own Country in the tourism map.
The Minister also hinted about the need in change of the state’s current liquor policy. He said that the previous Government’s liquor policy along with some other reasons are responsible for the decline in tourism growth.