Summary:
Arun M ByExpress News ServiceKOCHI: There were at least 25,000 small and mega events scheduled to be held in the state in March and April. Then came Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown.Now, all the programmes have been cancelled and thousands of daily workers employed in the state’s event management sector — which has an annual turnover of nearly `1,200 crore — have been rendered jobless. The list includes anchors, stage performers, videographers, photographers, sound and light technicians, decoration workers, drivers, security guards and others in allied sectors. “Over 75,000 people involved in the sector are staring at a bleak future due to the lockdown,” said Anwar Pallikkal, president of Confederation of Event Entertainment Management Kerala (CEEM). “We have approached the state government seeking interest-free loans to the workers for 9-12 months once the situation changes,” he said..