Thiruvananthapuram: The Thiruvananthapuram city police has roped in pot-bellied men dressed up as Maveli, the legendary king associated with Onam festival in Kerala, to spread awareness among the public during this year’s Onam festival amid COVID.
Police’s Maveli spreads the message on the importance of maintaining physical distance, wearing masks and ensuring hand hygiene even during the festivities.
Maveli arrived earlier reminding people of the 2 week quarantine period, before Onam, with a ‘Safe Onam’ campaign. Maveli told people that if they want him to come after two weeks, ‘people of his land’ must strictly follow physical distancing amongst them.
Maveli, led by the policemen from all police stations in the city, seek people to comply with COVID precautionary measures during Onam festival season. The campaign will be done in all main junctions, market areas and shopping centres in the city.
City Police Commissioner Balram Kumar Upadhyaya officially inaugurated the ‘Safe Onam’ campaign with Maveli at the Palayam Connemara Market, here in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday.
The Commissioner said, the police are doing all that is needed to prevent further spread of COVID. The people should cooperate and adhere to guidelines set by the police in every area, the Cop added.
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