JEDDAH, 6 September 2006 — Keralites working in the Eastern Province will mark the golden jubilee of the formation of their state in south India with a variety of cultural, educational and recreational programs throughout the province.
On Friday, Khaled Almaeena, editor in chief of Arab News, will inaugurate the celebration, KERALA FEST 2006, organized by Navodaya Cultural Center, a social and cultural organization. “We are celebrating this golden jubilee in cooperation with the Saudi Amusement Centers Co. and the entire Indian community,” Abraham Valiyakala, the chief patron of Navodaya said. Prominent political, social and cultural leaders will attend the programs.
The opening ceremony will take place at Al-Nosaif Auditorium in Dammam. It includes a seminar and a variety of cultural programs. “We have planned a series of programs for Keralites living in the seven major cities of the Eastern Province,” Abraham said.
According to unofficial statistics, there are nearly 750,000 Keralites in Saudi Arabia. They constitute half of the Indian expatriate population in the country. Abraham said the seminars and symposiums to be held as part of KERALA FEST would discuss ways and means of boosting the state’s educational, economic, commercial and industrial development and solve other problems facing the community.
Keralites in Jubail will also celebrate the golden jubilee on the same day with a variety of programs including a seminar focusing on the state’s industrial development.
A symposium on “Fifty Years of Kerala and the Media” will be held in Alkhobar on Sept. 15 with the participation of prominent print and visual media personalities. “Fifty Years of Kerala and Education” will be the subject of a seminar in Qatif on Sept. 22.
Another seminar entitled “Fifty years of Kerala and Working Class” will be held in Rahima on Sept. 29. A symposium, to be held in Abqaiq on Oct. 6, will debate the impact of non-resident Keralites on the society.
The closing ceremony will be held on Nov. 10 at Prince Mohammed ibn Fahd Amusement Park. Well-known writer Sukumar Azhikode will be the chief guest. Padmasree Murali and K.E.N Kunjahammad will address the gathering.
