Summary:
Visakhapatnam: For the first time, Keralites in the city have decided not to celebrate Onam , which is slated to be held on September 2. They have, instead, decided to come together and pray for their kith and kin who have been hit by the floods. A dedicated wagon has been provided by the railways for the work,” the member told TOI. The city has nearly 15,000 Malayalis.The decision was taken on Tuesday by the executive body of Kerala Kala Samiti during an internal meeting here.Speaking to TOI, Samiti president ARG Unnithan said that they have decided not to celebrate Onam this year.Instead, they wanted to have a get-together with all the Malayalis in the city on Onam. They would have lunch and then pray for their family and friends who are battling the floods in Kerala.A former member of the Samiti said that usually they spend nearly Rs 5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh on Onam celebrations every year.Instead, this year, they have decided to donate nearly Rs 10 lakh to the Kerala relief fund and other associations in Kerala, the member revealed.“We will also be sending goods, including clothes, to Kerala on Wednesday from the city railway station..