‘If someone sees a lotus in a pond, will they pour petrol and burn it'; Suresh Gopi criticizes

THRISSUR: Union Minister Suresh Gopi visited the main venue of the State School Kalotsavam. Suresh Gopi reached the main stage at Thekkinkadu Maidan Tuesday morning. The minister, who assessed the preparations for the Kalotsavam, also visited the Oottupura.

‘Kalotsavam will be the curtain raiser of the Thrissur Pooram 2026. Just like Pooram, the whole world will take over Kalotsavam. The problem is seeing politics in everything. Just think about the nation. How can you see politics in the lotus. The lotus is a flower used for poojas. If someone sees a lotus in the pond, will they pour petrol and burn it? Someone may have misled the organizers to take the decision to exclude the lotus from the names of the venues. There is no need to see politics in the world of art,' said Suresh Gopi.

The 64th State School Arts Festival is being held in Thrissur. From tomorrow to January 18, students will compete in 249 events at 25 venues. The main venue is the Exhibition Ground at Thekkinkadu Maidan. All 25 venues have been named after flowers. The motto is Responsible Arts Festival. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event at 10 am on January 14. Ilanjithara Melam and Kudamattam will be held on the inauguration day. A reception for the gold cup will be held at the Town Hall at 3:30 pm today.