Facebook friends meet on beach

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  With the aim of alerting the authorities concerned on the possible after-effects of the Mullaperiyar dam issue, volunteers of the Facebook page ‘Save Mullaperiyar Dam, Save Kerala Facebook Campaign’ took out a bike rally through the thoroughfare from Kowdiar to Shangumugham on Sunday. Noted sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman flagged off the rally that started from in front of the Kowdiar Park. Youngsters hailing from various corners of the city participated in the rally, which kicked off at 4 pm sharp. More than 100 volunteers, dressed in white, turned peacemakers for the noble cause. The registration that began from 3.30 pm saw a huge response of volunteers. According to Amal Babu, an engineering graduate and a volunteer, “the campaign is to show that the government is under pressure to finding a pragmatic solution to preventing a calamity. Other than the 35 lakh population in four districts living under constant alert, we are on a move to spread awareness among people in other places.’’ As a prelude to the rally, the group had distributed pamphlets in front of the  Secretariat and colleges on November 25. Amal said that many people who were inspired after receiving the pamphlets have now joined them.  Malu Raveendranath, a volunteer who is also a VJ, expressed her happiness to add a lot many friends for the campaign through the combined initiative. “Many realised that it was a common cause,’’ she added. The rally concluded on the Shangumugham beach with a performance, ‘Open your eyes’ by Balabhaskar and Ishaan Dev. The song, beginning with the line ‘open your eyes, let’s do something...’ was based on the Mullaperiyar row. A documentary on the Mullaperiyar issue was also screened on the occasion. The candlelight march taken out on the beach was led by film director Rajasenan. A sand sculpture was created on the beach by the students of the College of Fine Arts raising concern over the issue.  The campaign launched on November 23 now has  more than 4,500 Facebook members expressing their solidarity by ensuring virtual participation for the event.