Former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan is normally a journalist’s’ dream come true as he is certain to offer at least a one-liner that is newworthy, but the children at the ‘Kilikkoottam 2017’ camp were a disappointed lot as the salvos that they fired at the veteran could not breach his defence.
Will he become Chief Minister again, one of them asked Mr. Achuthanandan. His answer was just a bare smile and a nod.
What does he think of the Pinarayi Vijayan government’s performance? “It is moving in the right direction,” came the cryptic reply, almost sending the message to the children that they had better worry about other things of concern to their age.
And, the veteran opened up when the children asked him about his childhood memories. He recalled the days as a young boy, celebrating Onam and tasting the ‘paalpaayasam’ of Ambalapuzha temple. He took to politics when he was a Class 7 student. He urged them to look to the society around and enrich their understanding of the world with books and participation in games and social activities.
The camp is being organised by the Kerala State Child Welfare Council. Children get training in musical instruments as well as trying out painting and other activities. It would conclude on May 15.
