Kozhikode Corpn. Budget moots travelling festival for Malayalam literature

As part of maintaining Kozhikode’s status as India’s first UNESCO City of Literature, the annual Budget of the Kozhikode Corporation has mooted organising an annual travelling festival dedicated to the Malayalam language and literature.

Presenting the Budget on Saturday (February 28), Deputy Mayor S. Jayasree said that in connection with the UNESCO City of Literature status, numerous opportunities across various sectors had opened up for Kozhikode. Through exchange programmes with other Cities of Literature around the world, cultural exchanges between Kozhikode residents and these cities are now possible. Kozhikode will also be able to organise an annual travelling festival dedicated to the Malayalam language and literature. “During the Budget year, steps will be taken to organise such a festival in five Cities of Literature, with the support of Malayali communities residing there,” she said.

Further, the Budget has proposed a project to develop the 1.6-km stretch from the KSRTC bus stand to the railway station as a gender-inclusive, age-friendly, disability-friendly and safe corridor, ensuring convenience and accessibility for all pedestrians. The deputy mayor said the Kozhikode Mayor Bhavan would be renovated under a heritage conservation project. Arayidathupalam junction, East Hill junction and Moonalingal junction will be developed as Model junctions.

In a bid to ensure drinking water for all at an affordable cost, the civic body will install water ATMs across the city. Open gyms will be set up in different parts of the city. Escalators will come up at select locations. As many as 18 modern toilets will be constructed in different parts of the city. The Responsible Tourism project will be implemented in 100 selected houses. The number of “Aananda Vandi”, an initiative for senior citizens offering pleasure trips, will be increased to two, noted the Budget document.

The Budget has proposed renovating and modernising Puthiyapalam, West Hill, Mankavu and Manari crematoriums. A sum of ₹3 crore has been set aside for the pre-monsoon drive. An amount of ₹2.52 crore has been allocated for the construction of 63 houses for extremely poor people in Nellikode and Beypore.

Ms. Jayasree said the Corporation was considering implementing projects in collaboration with KSWMP to identify a dignified and sustainable source of income for the Haritha Karma Sena. An amount of ₹90 lakh has been allocated for this purpose. Steps will be expedited to commence the construction of the Tagore Hall and Convention Centre by securing funds from financial institutions, she added.