Palakkad emerges winner in Kerala’s 59th state school arts festival

Alappuzha: Palakkad was crowned the winner of the 59th Kerala state youth festival. They scored 930 points. Palakkad defeated the defending champions and 12-year consecutive winner Kozhikode this year. Kozhikode scored 927. Kasaragod has been fixed as the venue for next year’s Kalolsavam (state youth festival).

The Kalolsavam began on December 7 after 59 students lit 59 lamps on the main stage named Utharaswayamvaram. The school where the main stage is situated was one of the relief camps during the floods that ravaged the state.

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Though there was no golden cup or trophies this year, there was gleeful spirit among the participants in the competitions held in Alappuzha.

Earlier, an order was issued by the government to cancel all fests due to the flood situation in the state recently. It was also decided to donate the cost of these fests to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).

The officials and ministers had convinced chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to re-consider the decision claiming that students will lose an opportunity to gain grace marks without Kalolsavam.

The decision to re-conduct the youth festival "without celebrations" was taken after this.

The education minister C Raveendranath also said that even though celebrations will be avoided, students will get every opportunity to showcase their talent.

It was also decided to cancel all official celebrations of the government for one year following the floods.

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