Kerala Guv, leading figures initiate thousands of kids into world of letters on Vijayadashami

Vijayadashami in Kerala has become a secular event as thousands of tiny tots on Tuesday, 24 October, from all religions, mostly Hindus, got initiated into the world of letters at functions held in Sarawati temples, cultural organisations, clubs, schools and even media establishments.

This time there was hectic activity at the official residence of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan who made 61 children help write their first letters in various languages.

Over the years, this event on Vijayadashami has gone drastic changes with Christian churches and at times the initiation event taking place in Mosques too.

On this day eminent litterateurs, teachers and of late even politicians, hold the hands of the tiny tots and help them write Malayalam letters on a plate of rice.

On Tuesday, among those who turned up to take the role of teachers included master filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, vice chancellors, senior temple priests. Using a gold ring the 'teacher' writes a Malayalam word on the tongue of the child. While the Hindu children write 'Hari Sree Ganapathaye Namaha', Christian's write 'Sree Yesu Mishihaye Namaha'.

The maximum crowd is expected at the Thunachan Paramabu near Trissur which is considered as the home of Malayalam poet Thunchathu Ezhuthachan, where more than 5,000 children assemble, coming from distant places and patiently waiting for their turns.

The Panchikadu temple in Kottayam district is another place where maximum kids turn up with their parents.