KOCHI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan called for diligently resisting attempts to rob Kerala of its development brought by the social renaissance movements. Speaking after inaugurating the 10-day Krithi International Festival of Books and Authors here on Thursday, Mr Vijayan said that concerted efforts are on to bring back the obscurantism and rituals removed by the renaissance.
“The country is also witnessing an increasing tendency to trample down the freedom of expression,” he said. The cultural festival such as Kriti would help in resisting such tendencies, he added. Commenting on the unique contribution of SPCS, the writers co-operative society formed in 1945, he said that it helped in forming a new atmosphere of reading and thinking. Although the new technologies are posing a challenge to traditional publishing, the habit of reading is still alive, he added.
The inaugural function began with a presentation of traditional Kerala dance forms while writer M.K. Sanu read out the festival statement. Co-operation minister Kadkampally Surendran presided over the function. Kochi Mayor Soumini Jain inaugurated the scheme ‘one book for one child’ by handing over a book to Anamika, a student of Thottumukham Sivagiri Vidaynikethan. Prof. K.V. Thomas released the festival guide while Port minister Kadannappaly Ramachandran released the book compiled by archives department by handing over a copy to the Chief Minister. Former culture minister M.A. Baby released the first volume of the assembly speeches by EMS Namboodirippad by handing over a copy to Shaji N Karun, the creative director of the Festival.
