When Mahabali comes to town

This time around, when Mahabali comes to town, there will be a different reception awaiting him.

He will be broken by the devastation in His land, but He will also be heartened by how His people have come together - to help and support each other.

The floral carpet which brings together different colors, different fragrances and different shapes, will be replaced by a human carpet - of different religions, of different castes and of different economic backgrounds. Our differences are our strength: our differences are what makes our pookkalam so attractive and our differences are what makes our pookkalam complete.

In the midst of suffering and devastation, we will embrace our differences. We will celebrate our differences. And still remember that we are one.

Mahabali will go back knowing that his people have their hearts in the right places.

Happy Onam.

when the tough get going, the going gets tough

Time

Time,

For action.

What has been fermenting in the minds of the people, will take action now.

What has been dividing people for long, those narrow domestic walls will fall.

Because we have only ourselves to rely on.

We will have to bury our dead.

clean ourselves and our homes.

build our roads and bridges.

rebuild our schools and colleges.

on our own.

I salute the students of Kerala.

Young hearts and minds dedicated to the cause.

You are our shining beacon and hope.

May Mother Nature bless her little ones and give peace to those who have gone.