KOCHI: The Pookkalam Contest-2016 organised by South Indian Bank (SIB), in association with The New Indian Express, was received overwhelmingly by the public. The contest commenced at Lulu Mall here at 11 am on Saturday. Egged on by ‘Onam shoppers’ who turned up in large numbers, participants laid colourful floral carpets. Members of most of the participating teams were students of colleges and other educational institutions.
Senior officials of South Indian Bank, Lulu Mall and The New Indian Express attended the programme.
Mazhavil Arts Club, Varapuzha, captained by Nijo, bagged the first prize of Rs 25,000 in the contest. The prize was presented by South Indian Bank general manager and regional head N J Reddy. Yuva Arts Club of Aroor, led by Sunny, was the runners up. The second price, Rs 15,000, was presented by Lulu Mall business head Shibu Philip. Lulu Group media coordinator N B Swaraj gave away cash prize of Rs 5,000 to the team from Manjummel Kasturba English Medium School, who came third in the competition.
On the occasion, The New Indian Express general manager Suresh Kumar delivered the vote of thanks. Meanwhile, all the contestants were given Rs 1,000 each towards the expense incurred for participating in the contest.