Water should not be a cause for differences between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Kerala Education Minister M.A. Baby said here on Saturday.
Referring to the Mullaperiyar dam row, he said that leaving aside the “technical issues,” the Kerala government was ready to release water from the dam as well as from its other water resources for agricultural purposes in Tamil Nadu. He was speaking at the ‘Avanipoovarangu 2010' Onam celebration organised by the Confederation of Tamilnadu Malayalee Associations (CTMA).
On how Kerala has embraced teaching and learning in regional languages, Mr. Baby said nearly 60 schools in the State have Tamil as the medium of instruction with well-supported infrastructure.
“I wish Tamil Nadu and Karnataka governments also offer similar facilities to propagate Malayalam,” he said.
Tamil Nadu Minister for Information Parithi EIlamvazhuthi said the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu were like brothers.
M.A. Salim, chairman of ‘Aavanipoovarangu 2010,' said this edition of the two-day celebration was dedicated to the culture and friendship the two States shared. Meritorious students of Board examinations were felicitated.
Cultural events marked the Onam celebrations. Traditional folk arts of Kerala such as Margam Kali, Oppana and Kaikottikkali were some of the programmes held on Saturday. A light music event by well-known singers added colour to the evening on the opening day of the programme.
CTMA honorary president M.P. Purushothaman; president M. Nanda Govind; general secretary M.K. Soman Mathew and committee members participated. Actor Bala and singer Amrutha were the special guests.
