Those at the European Union Market at Maradu had a surprise guest on Thursday.
A temporary stage was set up under the hot noon sky, before the heavy rain drenched the city, and as the handful of visitors waited, actor Mohanlal arrived.
He, as brand ambassador of Act of Humanity, was there to launch the second phase of the anti-terrorism campaign led by magician R.K. Malayath.
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Mr. Mohanlal and former Kerala High Court judge P.K. Shamsudeen handed over the flag to Mr. Malayath, marking the start of the awareness rally.
Mr. Malayath performed a magic to drive home the message. He called in one of the office-bearers of Act for Humanity to volunteer.
The official's head was placed in a box and the magician forced daggers through the box, demonstrating to the crowd that once daggers of fundamentalism cloud one's mind, his face vanishes.
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Mr. Malayath then requested Mr. Mohanlal to draw out the daggers so that one could re-capture sense and be a human. In his short address, Mr. Mohanlal urged the crowd to make this attempt a success and convert the State into a terrorism-free one.
The touring team led by Mr. Malayath will present short presentations in all the districts and distribute leaflets against terrorism. The tour will end at Kasargod on April 21. Pamphlets were distributed during the first phase.