The first edition of Manorama’s Hortus in Kozhikode has come to an end, but the impact it has left on Kerala’s cultural scene is lasting. The three-day event brought together around 500 guests, including international participants, for meaningful discussions and shared ideas across six venues and 150 sessions. Key highlights included the symbolic planting of…
At a culinary workshop at Manorama Hortus, Korean chef Hyeonju Park teaches participants how to make Korea’s popular side dish, Kimchi. With deft hands and humor, Park guides participants through the process of making the fermented dish with over 12 ingredients. After the workshop, the venue transforms into a Korean street food stall, attracting passers-by…
Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar spoke about the Balakot air strike and its impact on Modi’s election victory, comparing it to Rajiv Gandhi’s post-assassination win in 1984. He criticized Modi’s approach to neighbouring countries, particularly Nepal’s shift towards China. Aiyar emphasized the importance of dialogue with Pakistan and China to address threats. He highlighted Rajiv…
The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, compared the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) to how Sanskrit was used in the 1920s to prevent students from studying medicine. He highlighted the struggles of the Dravida Movement in promoting Tamil as the core of the state’s identity and fighting against fascist and communal…
The Manorama Hortus event featured a lively debate on the Kerala Model, with Mary George and Ravi Varman discussing the state’s economy. Mary George criticized the model for its unsustainable nature due to poor productivity, while Varman defended it as a “miracle state” with two turnarounds driven by remittance money and social growth. They also…
At a recent event discussing the future of Kerala, MP A A Rahim highlighted the importance of better connectivity in the state. He mentioned that lack of proper transportation options can hinder participation in important events. The discussion also touched on the need for consensus in decision-making for future projects, with concerns raised about the…
Writer CV Balakrishnan believes that writers who align with political parties for personal gain are essentially choosing to be slaves to those parties. He criticized writers who lack independent thinking and empathy, citing an example of a writer who praised someone for making corruption allegations that led to a suicide. Balakrishnan also emphasized the need…