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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA, August 4, 2002: The July 27 Kumarakom boat tragedy in which 29 people were killed has resulted in Kerala Chief Minister A .K. Antony announcing that this year’s Onam celebrations — August 18-24 — would be simple and without the usual revelry. The pageantry that takes place on the main street of capital Thiruvananthapuram in a grand finale for Onam, a festival celebrated by all Malayalis irrespective of caste, creed or religion, has been cancelled. Another decision to see that the 50th Nehru Boat Race at Alappuzha takes place but without any of the grandiose celebrations may further dampen the festivities for Onam, in which August 20, 21 and 22 are important days. Antony said it had been decided that Onam would also be a low-key affair with very little illumination in the view of the looming power crisis, as “Kerala is in a serious spot as far as electricity generation is concerned,” said Antony.

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