KERALA, INDIA, October 3, 2006: Vijayadasami, a festival highlighting a child’s initiation into some kind of academic or artistic endeavor, was celebrated throughout the state of Kerala at the beginning of October. The Minister for Education participated in a special ceremony organized by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare where five needy children who were either abandoned or living on the streets were initiated into the world of letters. At the Attukal Devi Temple, 1,000 children participated in the ceremony. Other locations including the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church, the Thunchan Smarakam in Iranimuttom, the Asan Smarakam in Thonnakkal and the Aadyakshara Vedi organized by the Desiya Balatharangam at the Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan also marked the special occasion with traditional pomp. At some of the events children from Christian and Muslim families also joined in the festivities. “Among the acharyas who initiated children into the world of letters were lyricist Bichu Thirumala, Soorya Krishnamoorthi, Basheer Moulavi and Sister Josephine,” the news release explained.
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