THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The usual week-long Kalolsavam (state school arts festival) has been cut short to three days this year as part of austerity measures after floods ravaged Kerala in August.The three-day youth festival will begin on December 7 at Alappuzha , the pre-decided venue. Also, a decision was taken to limit certain events at the district-level itself to complete the state school arts festival within three days. In these events, the district-level winners will be compared at the state-level and grace mark will be given accordingly. The state science fair will be held in Kannur on November 24 and 25.The school sports meet will be held from October 26-28 at the university stadium in Thiruvananthapuram . Only athletic events will be held at the state-level, all other events will be held at the district-level. A decision was taken to do away with 18 events this year. This has triggered a protest since students and physical education teachers have alleged that it would affect the prospects of over 700 students who will miss the chance to compete at the national-level in their respective competitions. The government has decided to do away with events like boxing, archery, cycling, shooting, net ball, soft ball, power lifting, roller skating, throw ball, baseball, tug-of-war, fencing, karate , among others.The usual sumptuous meal offered at the youth festival venues will be missed this time. Instead, Kudumbashree will be providing food for the participants at the state school arts festival.

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