It is time to turn over a new leaf

MUVATTUPUZHA: Each youth festival is a learning platform for the students, parents and the organisers. While for the students it is an opportunity to showcase their talents, for the authorities it is a learning mantra to organise the event in a corruption-free manner.  However, the 30th edition of the Ernakulam Revenue district youth festival which concluded on Saturday proves neither the authorities nor the parents seem to have learned anything. Express highlights some of the areas that need to be addressed to rein in the unruly scenes at the festival venues and to provide a new make over. 

Selection of judging panel
This time, the corruption charges against judges witnessed a fall compared to previous years as the government had entrusted the Deputy Director of Education for the selection of judges. Most of the allegations raised by the parents and the trainers of the students pertained to qualification of judges.

Time matters
The items seldom begin on time. This always results in major events extending far into the night, affecting the performance of students. The organisers should re-arrange the major events instead of cramming them into a single day.

Repetition a major worry 
Be it drama, mono act or mimicry, repetition is a villain in all festivals. According to the judges, most of the dramas in the festivals are old. “Sound-mixing is the only change while all other aspects are almost the same as in earlier days. ,” said a senior drama artist.  

Parents are not judges
Whenever a judge relegates a student to a second position in the competition, it is normally the parents who will react first saying the panel is not qualified for evaluating the event. They even allege bribery. Instead of creating unruly scenes at the venues, the parents should take the advantage of appeals.