MUMBAI:
Kerala’s formidable group Mathrubhumi organised its 6th edition of Pookalam and Kaikottikali competition in Mumbai city. The community outreach program was organised as part of Onam festivity to connect with affluent national, local advertisers and Malayali audience living in the city.
The program was inaugurated by T C Suseel Kumar -Managing Director LIC, along with Madhoosudan – Managing Director Sapthevarna Builders, Sunil Kumar – Chairman, Goodwin Jewellers, Jyothis Mohan – Deputy Income Tax Commissioner, Indian Revenue Services, Dr Oomen David – Director, Holy Angels Schools & College, Kamal Krishnan – Head Media Solutions ( Print) Mathrubhumi, Mini Harikrishnan – Regional Manager, Mathrubhumi Mumbai office and Cine actress Athmeeya Rajan.
The competition included participation from 60 teams from Keraleeya Samajan and Associations and attracted over 1200 plus families attending the event. The winner of the Kaikottikali contest was Bassein Kerala Samajan and Kalyan West SNDP Branch won the Pookalam competition.
Speaking on this occasion Kamal Krishnan said “It was a pleasure to see such a large gathering of Malayalees in Mumbai coming together to celebrate the festival of onam much ahead of the festival. The spirit and fervour in which they took part in the celebrations were truly an inspiration. It was also heartening to see that a large part of the gathering belonging to the new and young generation actively participating in the traditional Pookalam and Kaikottikali competitions in the true spirit of Onam. The saying that there is a Malayali in every corner of the world is true, but this incident goes on to show that, no matter which corner of the world they reside, onam is embedded deep in the heart of every Malayalee and that despite what most believe, newer generations are proudly embracing their heritage,”