Kozhikode: Onam is a unusually busy day for the police, in particular for those on traffic duty. This year, since Eid al-Adha also fell during the Onam days, their burden doubled. Adding to the worries was the protest in Karnataka, where additional force had to be sent. Unlike last years, even newlyweds were asked to report for duty, ‘sacrificing’ their first Onam, said one official.
However, the traffic was manageable this season, said another officer, adding that the crowd was less in the city compared to the last few years. “Except on Friday, the crowd in the city was manageable, unlike we expected during the Eid-Onam shopping. It looks like the shoppers have run out of money,” said one jokingly.
The shopping zones were also slightly shifted to the bypass as malls and restaurants in this stretch started attracting customers, especially during the night. Whatever be the plight of the shoppers to the textiles and fancy stores, the queues at the beverages outlets remained longer than usual.
Meanwhile, the shopping hubs witnessed high voltage buying on Tuesday, the Onam eve. Popularly known as Uthrada Pachil, the day marks the last minute frenzied rush, gaiety and hilarity attached to shopping for new clothes, vegetables and other savouries for the Thiruvonam celebrations.
Hundreds of small traders thronged the city and their makeshift tents around Mananchira received a good response. However, the highest rush was as usual witnessed at the SM Street.
Many city dwellers are of the opinion that the rush was less compared to last year. Except for SM Street no purchase zones witnessed so much rush.
“Maybe because the big spend for the Eid festival of the Muslim community was just over,” says Elamkovan Selvan, a trader from Selam who used to visit the city during Onam for the last three years.
Midwife receives min at IRPC, Thayyil
Ports minister Ramachandran Kadannappally has a rare moment at the initiative for rehabilitation and palliative care (IRPC) centre at Thayyil in Kannur on Tuesday.
The minister was there to distribute ‘Onakkodi’ to the inmates, and he was greeted by none other than the Vayattati (midwife) who nursed his birth.
The minister became emotional when he met 96-year old Maniyamma and went down the memory lane. During his speech, he recalled his birth and the selfless service of Maniyamma as was narrated by his mother.
The minister distributed Onakkodi and kit to all of the inmates. District panchayat president K.V. Sumesh presided over. District panchayat vice-president P.P. Divya was present. At another function held at the ‘Solace’ home at Kakkad here, K.V Sumesh distributed Onam dress to the 40 inmates there.
