Kozhikode, Saturday 16 January 2010: In front of an ecstatic home crowd of about 20,000, Kozhikode lifted the Gold Cup on Saturday, as the host emerged as the champion district in the 50th Kerala School Kalotsavam. It was the fourth title in a row for Kozhikode.

And it was a convincing performance from the champion, as it scored 790 points, well ahead of the second-placed Kannur (723). Thrissur (720) finished fourth, followed by Palakkad (711), Ernakulam (687), Thiruvananthapuram (670), Malappuram (667), Kollam (661), Kottayam (650), Kasaragod (636), Alappuzha (631), Wayanad (565), Pathanamthitta (532) and Idukki (497).

The champion received the Gold Cup at an impressive closing ceremony from K.J. Yesudas and Education Minister M.A. Baby, who also presided over the function, attended, among others by Union Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran, Industries Minister Elamaram Karim, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy and Deputy Speaker Jose Baby.

The title for the school with highest points in the High School category was won by Silver Hills HSS, Kozhikode, with 72 points. The champion school in the Higher Secondary was MKNMHS Kumaramangalam, Idukki, with 106 points. In the Sanskrit and Arabic Festivals, Thrissur and Malappuram were anointed the champions.

One of the highlights of the closing ceremony was the nice gesture by Yesudas, who joined M.K. Raghavan, MP, to sing along. And the song was “Ormakale kaivala charthi…” (Pratheeksha), one of Yesudas’ evergreen hits. Lyricist Kaithapram also joined the duo.

In his speech, Yesudas had earlier requested the parents to be more tolerant in the next Schools Festival. “We should learn to respect the verdict of the jury,” he said.

Baby said: “The judgment may sometimes be contested but we have been able to include some of the most respected artistes in the Appeal Committee, like musician T.K. Murthy,” he said.

The Minister also took special note of the exemplary work done by the Student Cadet Police, a trained students’ force that helped the police in managing the festival. “This was a huge success and we will consider involving students in such initiatives on a regular basis,” he said.

Every mention of the Students Police was received by loud cheers. Which was also a recognition that this was indeed the festival of our students, more than anything else.

(News agency)