A custom called 'Vidyarambham'

"I came here at 6.15 AM. Even then, there were almost 300 parents waiting with their children for Vidyarambham. Isn't it something nice," asked KP, a famous Malayalam playwright of the 70s. KP is one of the 10 people who is sitting in the MM office for 'Vidyarambham'.

Today is Vijaydasami; its a day when you start things. Here, children below 3 yrs queue up(with their parents of cos) temples, book stores(yeah, even they have this function) and "our" newspaper office, MM. Children are made to sit on the teachers lap(need not be exactly a teacher, it could be any learned person) and write the first letters in rice. The teacher then writes the alphabet on the child's tongue. The alphabet is also whispered in the child's ear.

Importantly, there's no religion barrier for this wonderful custom. Anybody can bring their child and initiate it to education on this day.

This a nice custom, and nicer that a newspaper office holds such functions in their premises. Serves two important purposes - 1. the image of a newspaper being a reflection of society comes to the fore and 2. Good way to build an emotional connection with the public, who are the readers.