In order to meet its Onam commitments, the cash-strapped state government has to shell out an extra Rs 1,000 crore…reports Asian Lite News
The Kerala government on Monday announced a financial package for all government employees and pensioners to keep date with the harvest festival of the state — Onam.
Around 1.3 million people are expected to get the benefit.
For years, Onam bonus has been a customary norm. This time, it includes a sum of Rs 4,000 to all government employees and Rs 2,750 to those who do not qualify to get a bonus.
Besides, all state government employees will get Rs 20,000 as advance which will be recovered in the coming months in installments.
The pensioners will get an additional Rs 1,000 with their monthly pension, while all part time and contingent employees will get Rs 6,000 as advance, along with their August salary cheque.
In order to meet its Onam commitments, the cash-strapped state government has to shell out an extra Rs 1,000 crore.
Meanwhile, the general norm in the private sector in the state is all employees are eligible to get one month’s salary as Onam bonus.
Unlike the last two years when the celebration was a low-key affair owing to the pandemic, this year the state is fully geared to return to the pre-Covid times and celebrate the harvest festival in a grand manner.
Men can go all traditional with an off-white dhoti-kurta look or sport a Modern-Indian look with a kurta, stylish Nehru jacket, paired with Kolhapuris’ or sandals, and an analog watch.
August is a month of many celebrations especially, Onam and what better way to do it than to dress in ethnic styles. It’s a day to ditch the high street labels and international fast fashion brands and get vocal for local.
Go through our curation from Nykaa Fashion, the multi-brand e-commerce platform features a stylish selection which combines tradition and trends for women and men.
Men can go all traditional with an off-white dhoti-kurta look or sport a Modern-Indian look with a kurta, stylish Nehru jacket, paired with Kolhapuris’ or sandals, and an analog watch.
A beautiful cotton handloom saree is a must-have! Style it with comfortable yet stylish stilettos and pearl bangles, giving a modern twist to your traditional look. A Kerala kasavu is the quintessential part of Onam celebrations. Then paired with traditional jewellery with intricate pearl detailing, it’s the perfect example of a traditional yet classic look. Dress it up with a Bindi and jasmine flowers!
An off-white kurta, block heels, a gold clutch and earrings, are surely going to make an impact at your family celebrations. An embellished handloom saree teamed up with a ring with pearl detailing and a statement potli to carry all those essentials, is definitely going to elevate your festive dressing game.
The three-day Onam festivities begin on Friday and the state government has banned all public activities and have asked people to maintain absolute caution…reports Asian Lite News.
Even as festivities for the hugely popular Onam were set to begin, the Covid test positivity rate in Kerala stayed high, reaching 15.48 per cent on Tuesday.
A statement issued here by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said 21,613 people turned Covid positive after 1,39,623 samples were tested in the past 24 hours.
Onam is the traditional harvest festival of Kerala and is celebrated by all irrespective of caste, creed or religion. With the entire trading community up in arms forcing the state government to allow them to do their business, save in areas where ‘triple lockdown’ norms are in force, life in all sectors is almost back to normal despite the Covid threat.
The three-day Onam festivities begin on Friday and the state government has banned all public activities and have asked people to maintain absolute caution.
Tuesday also saw 18,556 people turn negative, taking the total active cases in the state to 1,75,167, while another 127 Covid deaths were reported, taking the death toll to 18,870.
Malappuram district continues to lead the state with 3,193 cases followed by Ernakulam with 2,643.
Jumbos in Mysuru Dasara celebrations to be tested for Covid
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has announced that due to Covid, Dasara celebrations will remain a low-key affair, and authorities have decided to allow only those jumbos that test negative for Covid infection in the festivities.
The negative RT-PCR test has also been made compulsory for mahouts, kavadis, and the Dasara organising committee members.
Elephants were tested ahead of last year’s celebration also. Usually, 13 to 14 elephants take part in the Dasara fete but only five were allowed last time.
Forest Department officials, veterinarians and officers will reach elephant camps in Mysuru and Kodagu to conduct Covid tests. The tests will be conducted on Abhimanyu, the elephant that carried the Golden Howdah, as well as Gopi, Vikram, Kaveri, and Vijaya.
The final list of participating elephants will be prepared after the test results are obtained.
Mysuru in-charge Minister S.T. Somashekar said on Tuesday that this year also, Dasara is going to be a simple affair. A high-level meeting will be held at the end of this month for a final decision, he added.
The Dasara festival, known as Nada Habba or ‘state festival’, is celebrated in mid-October and attract tourists from across the world. Due to Covid, the celebrations are being kept low-key.
The release of Marakkar has been delayed for more than a year after the Covid pandemic broke out in February last year…reports Asian Lite News.
Marakkar, the Lion of Arabian Sea is the most awaited film from Mohanlal. Superstar recently broke the news that one of his mega project in Malayalam ‘Marakkar, the Lion of Arabian Sea’ directed by his close friend and ace director Priyadarshan is all set for release on August 12.
Lal, as he is popularly known, announced on his Facebook page that he was hopeful about release of the film during the Onam festival.
“For this to happen, we need the prayers and the moral support of all and with that we are going forward for it to happen,” wrote the 61-year-old actor who plays the main role.
The release of Marakkar has been delayed for more than a year after the Covid pandemic broke out in February last year.
‘Marakkar, the Lion of Arabian Sea’ was selected as the best feature film for 2019, besides the veteran director’s young son — Siddarath Priyadarshan fresh from his studies on special effects from the US also won his first national award for the best special effects.
Another winner in the same film was Sujith Sudhakar who won the national award for the best costume designer.
The magnum opus tells the tale of Kunhali Marakkar, the famous naval chief of the Zamorin of Calicut, often known for organizing the first naval defence off the Indian coast.
Mohanlal, known for his flexibility and adaptability to any character , play the key role of Marakkar.
The star casts include thespian actor Madhu, Manju Warrier, besides actors from south India and Bollywood and four British actors also one Chinese actor.
Producer Antony Perumbavoor said that they were planning for a release across Kerala and pan India and not to mention, outside the country also.
“We have done everything for the release and if not for the pandemic, we would have released it much before,” said Perumbavoor.
