I'm writing this at a time when the Pooram preparation are in full swing. We are also modernizing our website adding new features and providing new avenues of interaction. Please wait to observe what they are. Even now our website managers are striving hard to broad-base their activities, expansion of our website is a part of it.

Now about this year's Thrissur Pooram. Once again, the festival of Thrissur is drawing near. All arrangements are nearing completion for this year's festival. Already the 'kodiyettam' ceremonies of the principal participants have taken place in preparation for the grand festival which falls on Saturday, May 10th, 2003. (Please click here to view A photo gallery about the Thrissur Pooram festival)

We have made adequate arrangements so that the public can view the pomp and glory of the pooram and enjoy the festivities to the maximum, all along keeping traditions intact and religious content without any change. Separate announcements will be made regarding traffic and other arrangements we have made, in time.

We are drawing police officers and men from neighboring districts also. Our women-police, strengthened and fortified by new recruits, will enable us to devote more attention for protection and assistance to ladies and children attending the festival. The police academy will also send it's recruits to assist the existing women constabulary, thereby gaining experience in police work.

We of the Police Department request the public attending this prestigious festival to keep decorum and behave in an exemplary manner, obeying all lawful direction of the police, volunteers and officials of the pooram committee in such a way that visitors to the pooram from other parts of the state may depart with a pleasant feeling of having participated in a well conducted orderly and beautifully wondrous festival.

The fire-work display is expected to be wonderful and the concerned authorities have been asked to make it less noisy and more colourful. This is necessary since, the noise if produced in excess, would cause irreparable damage to our venerable and ancient Vadakkunathan Temple.

I hope you will all enjoy the festivities and take home a wonderful feeling of togetherness camaraderie and happiness. Even though the unfortunate incidents in Marad have cast a shadow of sadness, it is hoped that time will heal the wounds and that vengeance will not prevail.

with best wishes,

G. Janardhanan Nair IPS

One more Pooram has passed off. This has been an incident free one, thanks to the cooperation of all concerned. Our aim was to facilitate all the people to observe the pooram without any hindrance or inconvenience. A certain extent of inconvenience is likely to occur since such a number of people congregating at a place is bound to create problems. But I'm happy to say that the people cooperated with the authorities patiently and therefore everyone was able to enjoy the pooram festival right from pooram exhibition, Aanachamayam exhibition, sample fireworks, etc to the pakal pooram. It was indeed a pleasure to see people from all communities participating in the pooram and enjoying it immensely. That this festival was conducted in the shadow of Marad happenings is specially significant.

Since the festivities went on like clockwork at correct time intervals, the police officials were also able to carry out their duties very well. We were also able to deploy sufficient officers including women constables to control and assist the public. We are proud to have provided effective support and assistance to the people to the best of our ability.

Eventhough such a great personality as the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakodi Peedom attended the festivities, there was no inconvenience to the people or unnecessary restriction.

It is commendable that on the advice of police department a separate enclosure was made for foreign tourists near temple entrance. They were able to observe kudamattom festivities without any hindrance from beginning to the end.

The pooram committee and others concerned were able to reduce noise of the fireworks without compromising the famed pomp and glory, it was greatly enjoyed by those present.

I would like to place those who are in charge of conducting the pooram festival the following;
It will be convenient if the facilities for foreign tourists are expanded and made more convenient. Also some provisions need to be made for women and children attending the pooram to see kudamattom without the interference of trouble-makers and eve-teasers.

Here, I wish to share with you a personal matter. I took charge as the Superintendent of Police of Thrissur Dist on 10th of May 2002. Hence this years Thrissurpooram was, by God's grace, the first anniversary of my appointment. I'm thankful to the discerning public and the authorities of various institutions I have interacted with who have made my tenure here memorable. Whether I was able to deliver as expected of me is to be decided by the citizens of Thrissur and my Superior Officers in the Police Department.

with best wishes,

G. Janardhanan Nair IPS