Listless Onam on cards

The traditional splendour of the Onam season in Kerala may be largely missing this year as the state reels under a clutch of crises, ranging from financial pressures to power problems, and from a shortage of rainfall during the monsoon months to a spate of violent incidents.

To add to the gloomy picture, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is expected to announce yet another tariff hike in power rates within a week.

Kerala Tourism Minister K.V. Thomas yesterday confirmed that even the official Onam festivities would be scaled down this year in view of the financial stress faced by the state government.

"There will be no illumination and pageantry this year," Thomas said while announcing the Onam programmes by the tourism department.

He said the government would, nevertheless, go ahead with the Onam festivities in a smaller way.

Accordingly, there will be cultural programmes featuring leading artistes including popular playback singer K.J. Yesudas.

A programme committee headed by Mohan Kumar is giving finishing touches to the cultural programmes for the Onam fete.