Thiruvananthapuram: The 39th edition of university youth festival which will be flagged off in the city from Monday will stay clear of all malpractices and irregularities with the strict surveillance from Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB). According to the members of the organising committee , the phone calls and real-time interactions of judges will be continuously monitored in order to ensure more transparency.Apart from the vigilance scanners, many new and innovative aspects are attached to this year's university youth festival including green protocol and pink volunteers. A special committee for ensuring women's safety will be set up with the help of pink volunteers. This facility will ensure that participants will be safe inside the venues even if their programmes wind up only by late night.Ex MLA V Sivankutty, who is the chairman of Kerala University Youth Festival, said that second chances will not be entertained in any of the competition items. "From this year onwards if the participants do not turn up by the end of the 3rd call, their team will be cancelled without any consideration. Also, they will not be given a second chance under any circumstances,'' he said at a press meet here on WednesdayAlso, the organisers are harping on smart measures to implement green protocol at all the venues. "We have made special arrangements to use paper cups and eco-friendly plates for distribution of food. Also, all the banners are cloth-based and flex is completely avoided,'' said Prathin Saj Krishna, General Convener of Kerala University Youth Festival.Also, in order to avoid any confusions associated with spot registration, entries can be done only through online registration this year.Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the university youth festival at 5pm at the University Senate Hall on March 27. At the event, culture minister A K Balan will felicitate Vidhu Vincent for winning the state award for her film 'Manhole'. Cine actors such as Tovino Thomas, Neeraj Madhav, Gayathri and Subheesh will also take part in the inaugural ceremony.As many as 96 competitive items will be conducted in the 9 venues in 6 major colleges in the city. The Senate Hall inside the Kerala University campus will also turn platform for some of the items. Around 5000 college students from as many as 250 colleges from Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta will participate in this year's university youth festival. An open forum to discuss and debate various topics related to art, gender equality and freedom will be conducted at the Kerala University campus on March 28, 29 and 30. The youth festival will conclude on March 31.

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