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**Kerala Celebrates Onam, Reaffirming Values of Inclusivity and Harmony**

**Kozhikode, India – September 4, 2025** – The southern Indian state of Kerala is in full festive swing as it celebrates Onam, its iconic harvest festival. Rooted in the legend of the benevolent King Mahabali and his return to Kerala, Onam embodies the values of equality, togetherness, and social harmony, themes deeply ingrained in the state’s history and culture.

Despite recent attempts to portray Kerala as a strife-torn society, P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Minister for Tourism and Public Works, asserts that the spirit of Onam stands as a powerful testament to the state’s enduring secular ethos and rejection of divisive forces. The festival transcends barriers of class, caste, and creed, uniting Malayalis in a celebration of their shared heritage.

The Kerala government has heavily invested in Onam celebrations, with spending expected to exceed ₹20,000 crore. This investment supports a week-long program organized by the Tourism department showcasing Kerala’s rich artistic traditions and boosting tourism. The festival also sustains the state’s traditional arts, crafts, and rural sports, including the renowned snake-boat races.

Onam serves as a reminder of Kerala’s commitment to social development, evidenced by its high literacy rates, universal education, robust public healthcare system, and recently achieved full digital literacy. This emphasis on inclusivity is what makes the “Kerala Model” unique. As the state embraces modernity, Onam remains a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of an egalitarian society.

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