Hundreds of children write their first letters at the premises of Malayala Manorama on the auspicious day of Vijayadashami on Wednesday, October 5. The special rituals for the initiation ceremony, popularly called Vidyarambham, began at 6.30 am in various Malayala Manorama’s offices.
Exciting gifts await the tiny tots. Besides, they also get certificates with photos.
The ritual is held by strictly adhering to the COVID-19 protocols.
The learned people — gurus —who would initiate the children into the world of letters and knowledge at Kottayam are: Dr Jancy James, former vice chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University and Central University of Kerala; Dr Cyriac Thomas, former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University and member of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions; Dr KN Raghavan, international cricket umpire, executive director of Rubber Board and chairman of Marine Products Exports Development Authority and International Rubber Study Group; Poet Rose Mary; Dr Babu Sebastian, former Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University; Dr Sheena Shukkur, Director of Kannur University's Manjeswaram campus and former pro Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University; Calligraphy artist Narayana Bhattathiri; and former director of Higher Secondary Education James Joseph.