THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Preparations for Onam celebrations are at full swing in the city.
A Thiruvatirakali competition will be held at Vailopilli Samskruthi Bhavan on Thursday by the Tourism Department. The winners securing the first, second and the third positions will receive a memento and cash prizes of `25,000, `15,000 and `10,000 respectively. Well performing teams would receive `1,000 as consolation prize. Higher Secondary Schools, residents associations, companies and other cultural organisations can participate. Interested people can contact the Tourism Department office and register for the contest on or before Tuesday. For details, contact 0471 2560434, 9605891749 or 9447750687.
A meet will be held on Monday at 10 am at the Tourism Department directorate office, to discuss the preparation for the cultural rally to be organised on Monday as part of the ‘Onaaghosham 2015’ celebrations. MLA Varkala Kahar, who is also the chairman of the rally committee would preside over the meet. The last date for registering to participate in the rally has been extended to Tuesday. Applications can be sent to Co-ordinator, Onam Peagentry 2015, Tourist Facilitation Centre, Tourism Directorate, Park View, Thiruvananthapuram. For more details, contact 0471 2321132, 2560426, 9895240484, 9400332318 or 7025252205.
A rally would be held on Monday at 4 pm from the Sports Council in the city to mark the beginning of the Onam celebrations organised by the Tourism Department. MLA V Sivankutty will flag off the rally. Tourism Minister M P Anil Kumar will receive the Onam flag from the programme committee chairman and MLA Palode Ravi. Sports Council president Padmini Thomas would preside over the event. The rally would conclude at Kanakakkunnu palace grounds. After the rally Home and Vigilance Minister Ramesh Chennithala will hoist the Onam flag at the palace grounds. Health Minister V S Sivakumar will conduct the switch on ceremony of the illumination works.
Cultural Minister K C Joseph will deliver the key Onam address.