T’puram: The traditional Onam Week grand procession to be held on Aug 30 in the city will be made more attractive and visually appealing than in previous years, said cultural affairs and tourism minister P C Vishnunadh.The minister was speaking at the first meeting of the procession committee convened at Thycaud guest house on Monday to review preparations for the annual Onam Week celebrations.Vishnunadh said the procession, which marks the highlight of state-level Onam celebrations, would be organized around the theme ‘Puthuyuga Keralam’ (New Age Kerala). He directed all participating govt departments to design their floats in strict compliance with the state’s green protocol, ensuring the use of eco-friendly materials and sustainable practices throughout the event.Calling for greater creativity, minister urged departments to introduce innovative concepts and visually engaging displays to enhance the appeal of the procession. “The procession should reflect the spirit of a progressive Kerala while preserving the cultural richness of the festival,” he said.He instructed departments to begin preparations well in advance to ensure smooth coordination and timely completion of the floats and other arrangements. Vishnunadh also expressed hope that major departments of central govt would actively participate in the celebrations, adding to the diversity and scale of the event.He further directed KSEB and fire and rescue services department to work in coordination to ensure that the procession passes through the designated route without any obstructions. He stressed that uninterrupted movement of the floats and participants would be essential for the success of the event.The meeting was attended by procession committee chairperson and MLA N Sakthan, tourism secretary K Biju, tourism department additional director Sreedhanya Suresh, representatives of Army, Navy and Coast Guard, and senior officials from various govt departments.The annual Onam Week celebrations feature a series of cultural programmes, exhibitions and public events, culminating in colourful grand procession showcasing Kerala’s traditions, heritage and contemporary achievements.
