Kottayam: On the occasion of the Vijayadashami Friday, tiny tots took their first steps into the world of letters.
Cutting across barriers of religion, caste and class, hundreds of children in Kerala took part in the 'Vidyarambham' ritual, the age-old tradition of initiating children into the world of knowledge. As per the custom, scholars, writers, teachers, priests and other prominent figures make children, usually aged two to three years, write their first letters.
They help the tots write their first letters in platters filled with rice or it is scribbled on a child's tongue with a golden ring.
Vidyarambham at Manorama
Malayala Manorama units have organized 'Vidyarambham' at its various offices. Those who have registered for the Vidyarambham will be initiated to the world of letters at these units.
Leading figures from cultural and literary world will introduce the toddlers to the world of letters at all 11 units of Manorama in Kerala, as well as at its offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Dubai.
All the kids who participated in the Vidyarambham event in Manorama units will be given gifts and a certificate with their photographs.
Those who are initiating kids to the world of letters at the Kottayam unit of Malayala Manorama are: Dr Cyriac Thomas, a member of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions and former vice-chancellor (VC) of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam; K P Dandapani, former advocate general; Dr Jancy James and Dr Babu Sebastian, both former VCs; Dr B Ikbal, another ex-VC and Kerala State Planning Board member; Dr J Prameela Devi, poetess and former member of the Commission for Women; Rose Mary, another poetess; Thomas Jacob, former editorial director of Malayala Manorama; Dr T R S Iyer, educational specialist; and James Joseph, former director of higher secondary education.
Heavy rush at temples
Temples, especially those dedicated to Saraswathy, the goddess of learning and art, including Panachikkadu Saraswathy Temple in Kottayam district and Kollur Mookambika temple are likely to experience heavy rush from early morning itself.
Besides this, well-known shrines including Panachikkadu Temple, Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Sri Krishna Guruvayur Temple will witness huge rush due to thousands of tots taking part in the ceremony.