Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: October 17, 2010
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Thousands-of-tots-scribble-first-letters-in-Kerala/articleshow/6763414.cms
In a unique custom that transcends religious
barriers, thousands of children in Kerala entered the world of learning by
scribbling their first letters on Vijayadasami day today, marking the conclusion
of the Navaratri festival.
Early in the morning, children, mostly aged
two to three, along with their parents, thronged temples, schools, libraries,
cultural centres and media houses to go through the ritual of writing their
initial letters on the auspicious occasion, observed by Keralites as "
Vidyarambham", the initiation into learning.
Teachers, writers, artists, film personalities
and even senior politicians helped the tots write their first letters "hari..sree.."
in platters filled with rice after invoking the Goddess of learning and art
Saraswathi.
In some churches, priests made the children
write a couple of lines of from verses of the Bible.
Oringially a Hindu custom, the increasing
response to "Vidyarambham" from people from other faiths is seen
as a sign of the cultural vibrancy of a society that attaches the greatest
imporatance to the education of its children and considers human resource
as its biggest asset.
"The overwhelming response from all sections
of society to this unique ceremony reflects the latent cultural strength of
Malayalis," well-known writer Akabar Kakkattil told PTI.
There was heavy rush of children to undergo
the ritual at Thunchanparampu in Malappuram district, the hallowed home of
medieval poet Ezhuthachan, revered as father of Malayalam literature.
