Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated the Onam celebrations in New Delhi today at Kerala House. Joined by Shri Ramesh Chennithala (Minister for Home Affairs, Vigilance, and Coir industry,Keralam), Shri Haris Beeran (MP), Shri V. Muraleedharan (MLA), Smt. P.K. Sreemathi (former MP), and other officials of Kerala House. (Photo X)


Thiruvananthapuram/New Delhi: Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said that while Onam is a time for celebration for people from the state across the world, it is a challenge for the government as it faces a huge financial burden during this period. Satheesan, speaking at an Onam event at Keralam House in Delhi, said that the harvest festival is celebrated with a lot of fervour in the southern state as well as across the world where people from Keralam have moved for work or education.

"In many countries, people from Keralam celebrate Onam for several months. It is a time when they forget their troubles and come together to celebrate and remember their homes," he said.

However, for the government it is a time of challenge as it has to spend a lot of money.

"We have to carry out market intervention to prevent price rise, ensure availability of subsidised items in stores, clear arrears of pensions, give bonuses and festival allowances, amongst others. So, there is a huge financial burden on the government. But we are happy we were able to do all that as part of Onam this year," Satheesan said.

State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala also spoke at the event and said that this time it was a 'Toofan Onam" for him as he has been associated with the anti-narcotic drive.

He also said that the festival is celebrated by people of the state across the world irrespective of religion, caste or creed.

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