Hundreds of tiny tots took their first steps into the vast world of knowledge on Wednesday as the traditional Vidyarambham ceremony was held across Kerala, major Indian cities and Dubai on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami. The sacred initiation ritual, known as Ezhuthiniruthu, commenced at 6.30 am, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning for young children.
Distinguished personalities from literature, cinema, medicine, science, music, spirituality and public administration served as gurus, guiding children as they wrote their first letters in sand and rice. The ceremonies were conducted across 11 locations in Kerala, as well as in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Dubai, bringing families together to celebrate the importance of education and cultural tradition.
Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No. 1 radio station, celebrates the spirit of Vidyarambham, a cherished tradition that introduces young minds to the world of letters and knowledge. The occasion highlights the enduring value of education and the importance of preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
In Thiruvananthapuram, renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, acclaimed writer George Onakkoor, former DGP Jacob Punnoose, Public Works Department Special Secretary Dr Adeela Abdulla and celebrated magician Gopinath Muthukad guided the young learners.
In Kollam, the gurus included Tantric scholar and retired SN College professor Neelamana VR Namboothiri, scientist and former NIIST Director Dr A Ajayaghosh, former TKM Engineering College Principal Prof POJ Lebba, novelist Prof MD Rathnamma and actor-director Madhupal. Pathanamthitta welcomed award-winning filmmaker Blessy, film scholar Dr Sajith Evooreth and Public Health Deputy Director Dr L Anithakumari.
In Alappuzha, the ceremony featured former RAW chief and former DGP Dr PK Hormis Tharakan, singer and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Chairman G Venugopal, KIIFB Additional CEO Mini Antony, former Alappuzha Medical College Principal Dr B Padmakumar and lyricist Rajeev Alunkal.
Kottayam’s gurus included Sama Veda scholar Dr Thottam Sivakaran Namboothiri, former MG University Vice Chancellors Dr Cyriac Thomas and Dr Babu Sebastian, former Sreenarayanaguru Open University Vice Chancellor Dr PM Mubarak Pasha, Kottayam Medical College Principal Dr Varghese P Punnoose, author Manoj Kuroor and writer Sreeparvathy.
In Kochi, former Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands Venu Rajamony, former NACIN Director General Dr KN Raghavan, former Indian Academy of Paediatrics President Dr S Sachidananda Kamath, ADGP P Vijayan, Bhagavata exponent Venmani Krishnan Namboothiripad, musician Dr Sreevalsan J Menon, former Kerala Women’s Commission member Prof Monamma Kokkad and Kendriya Sahitya Akademi award winner Sippy Pallippuram served as gurus.
Thrissur’s ceremony featured astrologer Kanippayyur Narayanan Namboothiripad, chenda exponent Peruvanam Kuttan Marar, former Chief Secretary EK Bharat Bhushan and Thrissur Collector Shikha Surendran.
In Palakkad, the children were guided by thayambaka master Kalloor Ramankutty Marar, literary critic Asha Menon, chief physician Dr KG Raveendran, former Higher Secondary Director Dr CP Chithra, writer TK Sankaranarayanan and former LIC Managing Director TC Suseel Kumar.
Malappuram welcomed Calicut University Vice Chancellor Dr P Raveendran, Arya Vaidya Sala trustee Dr K Muraleedharan, folklore scholar Dr EK Govindavarma Raja and Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple chief priest Sreehari Girish Namboothiri. In Kozhikode, Kerala Sahitya Akademi President Kalpetta Narayanan, writers Ambikasuthan Mangad and Sheela Tomy, and City Police Commissioner AP Shoukat Ali took part in the ceremony.
Kannur’s Vidyarambham was led by eminent literary figures T Padmanabhan, M Mukundan and CV Balakrishnan.
The celebrations also extended to major cities outside Kerala and to the UAE. In New Delhi, Union Tourism Ministry Joint Secretary S Harikishore presided as guru. In Chennai, leading cardiologist Dr VV Bashi and music composer Sharreth initiated children into the world of letters. Mumbai’s ceremony featured former Vice Chancellor Dr James Thomas and IIT Bombay Professor GV Sreekumar.
In Bengaluru, acclaimed author Anita Nair and former editor AVS Namboothiri guided the young learners. In Dubai, Aster DM Healthcare CMD Dr Azad Moopen, Indian Consul General Dr E Vishnu Vardhan Reddy and National Teacher Award winner Dr SJ Jacob served as gurus, bringing the spirit of Vidyarambham to families in the UAE.
Parents and children with pre-allotted time slots were advised to arrive promptly at their designated times. Each participating child will receive special commemorative gifts and a framed photo certificate to mark this significant milestone in their educational journey.
Vidyarambham remains a meaningful cultural tradition, symbolising the beginning of a child’s formal learning journey. With eminent personalities guiding young learners across different cities, this year’s celebrations once again underscored the timeless connection between knowledge, culture and new beginnings.
