Wed Jan 08 15:29:08 UTC 2025: **Kerala’s School Arts Festival a Success, Aims for Guinness World Record**
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Jan 8, 2025 – Kerala’s State School Arts Festival concluded successfully, with Education Minister V. Sivankutty expressing his satisfaction and announcing plans to make it even bigger. With approximately 15,000 participants, the Minister aims to have the festival recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest student arts festival next year.
This year’s festival saw increased oversight to ensure transparency and fairness. Intelligence and Vigilance officials monitored judges daily to prevent corruption, even targeting known intermediaries who attempt to influence judging. The inclusion of trade unions helped to control inflated auto-rickshaw fares, a common issue in Thiruvananthapuram. Free meals were provided to the participants’ parents.
The Minister highlighted the inclusion of tribal dances for the first time and the participation of students from Vellarmala GHSS, affected by last year’s Wayanad landslide, as significant achievements. Future plans include greater Ministry involvement in lower-level district and sub-district festivals to improve their organization and prevent undesirable practices.
First Piper 