Minister announces holiday on October 11 for all educational institutions as part of puja

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Public Education Department Minister V Sivankutty said schools in the state will remain closed on October 11 (Friday) as part of puja holidays. He said the order in this regard will be issued today itself. The decision was taken to give a holiday on October 11 on the basis of a memorandum submitted by the National Teachers' Union (NTU) to the minister.

There was a demand earlier to give a holiday on October 11 as the puja is kept on Thursday evening, October 10. The minister announced a holiday after this. Although there is a puja holiday on October 10 in the government calendar, the holiday on October 11 was not announced. The National Teachers' Council submitted a memorandum stating that it is not right to conduct studies in schools after keeping the puja on October 11.

Keeping the puja is one of the main functions of Navratri. Navratri Mahotsav, which lasts only nine days every year, will last for 11 days this year. Study materials and weapons are kept for puja to Goddess Saraswati. Mahanavami in Kollur Mookambika will be on October 11. Vidyarambham will be on October 12, the Vijayadashami day.