Sudhakaran tells Indians to uphold cultural values

Keralite artists, including many schoolchildren, entertained a huge audience at International Indian School auditorium here Friday on the third day of the Indian Festival 2013 organized by the Indian Consulate.
K. Sudhakaran, chief guest and a member of Indian Parliament from Kerala, urged parents to find time in their busy lives to take care of their children and love them. “Many parents have lost their children when they failed to love them and understand their needs,” he pointed out.
“We have to bring back an atmosphere of love and cooperation to our families to avoid regretful situations. There are parents seeking the love and care of their children and there are many children who earnestly look for getting the love their parents,” said Sudhakaran.
The parliamentarian warned his compatriots against the tendency of people trying to earn more and more money at the expense of their culture and moral values. “We are also becoming increasingly selfish without taking care of others and their feelings. This is a dangerous trend and will have awful consequences.”
Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai opened the Keralolsavam or Kerala festival featuring a variety of traditional and modern dances, musical performances and dramas.
In his speech, Kidwai commended the people of Kerala for their efforts to excel in every field. “Each Keralite acts like an ambassador of their state wherever they go,” Kidwai said to the applause of the huge gathering.
He commended the services being extended by the Keralites to the Indian community, adding that people from other states should follow the Keralites’ example. “I am happy to say that about 90 percent volunteers serving Indian Hajis are from Kerala,” he said.
Tarik Mishkhes, editor in chief of Malayalam News and Urdu News, commended Indians’ contributions for the Kingdom’s development. He praised the unity and hard work of Keralites. “They always try to uphold their cultural values and specialties,” he pointed out.
A large number of Keralite community leaders were present at the stage to give felicitation speeches but the organizers, Jeddah Keralites Forum, announced that only two of them would speak. It was a big relief for the audience who had come mainly to enjoy the cultural programs, one participant said.