Hundreds of tiny tots took their initial steps into the vast world of knowledge on Wednesday as Malayala Manorama hosted its annual Vidyarambham ceremony on the auspicious occasion of Vijayadashami. The traditional initiation ceremony, known as 'Ezhuthiniruthu', commenced at 6.30 am across all Malayala Manorama offices.

Distinguished personalities from various fields, including literature, cinema, medicine, science, and public administration, acted as gurus to guide the children as they wrote their very first letters in sand and rice. The ceremonies are taking place across 11 units in Kerala, major Indian metros including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai, as well as in Dubai.

Parents and children with pre-allotted time slots are advised to arrive promptly at their designated times. Each child participating in the ceremony will receive special commemorative gifts and a framed photo certificate to mark this milestone moment in their educational journey.

Thiruvananthapuram
Renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, acclaimed writer George Onakkoor, former DGP Jacob Punnoose, Public Works Department Special Secretary Dr Adeela Abdulla, and celebrated magician Gopinath Muthukad will initiate young learners in the capital city.

Kollam
Tantric scholar and retired SN College professor Neelamana VR Namboothiri, scientist and former NIIST Director Dr A Ajayaghosh, former TKM Engineering College Principal Prof POJ Lebba, novelist Prof MD Rathnamma, and actor-director Madhupal will lead the ceremony.

Pathanamthitta
Award-winning film director Blessy, film scholar Dr Sajith Evooreth, and Public Health Deputy Director Dr L Anithakumari will welcome toddlers into the fold of learning.

Alappuzha
Former RAW chief and former DGP Dr PK Hormis Tharakan, singer and Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Chairman G Venugopal, KIIFB Additional CEO Mini Antony, former Alappuzha Medical College Principal Dr B Padmakumar, and lyricist Rajeev Alunkal will serve as gurus.

Kottayam
Sama Veda scholar Dr Thottam Sivakaran Namboothiri, former MG University Vice Chancellor Dr Cyriac Thomas, former MG University Vice Chancellor Dr Babu Sebastian, former Sreenarayanaguru Open University Vice Chancellor Dr PM Mubarak Pasha, Kottayam Medical College Principal Dr Varghese P Punnoose, author Manoj Kuroor, and writer Sreeparvathy will initiate the toddlers.

Kochi
Former Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands Venu Rajamony, former NACIN Director General Dr KN Raghavan, former Indian Academy of Paediatrics President Dr S Sachidananda Kamath, ADGP P Vijayan, Bhagavata exponent Venmani Krishnan Namboothiripad, musician Dr Sreevalsan J Menon, former Kerala Women's Commission member Prof Monamma Kokkad, and Kendriya Sahitya Akademi awardee Sippy Pallippuram will bless the young learners.

Thrissur
Astrologer Kanippayyur Narayanan Namboothiripad, chenda exponent Peruvanam Kuttan Marar, former Chief Secretary EK Bharat Bhushan, and Thrissur Collector Shikha Surendran will lead the proceedings.

Palakkad
Thayambaka master Kalloor Ramankutty Marar, literary critic Asha Menon, chief physician Dr KG Raveendran, former Higher Secondary Director Dr CP Chithra, writer TK Sankaranarayanan, and former LIC Managing Director TC Suseel Kumar will guide the children.

Malappuram
Calicut University Vice Chancellor Dr P Raveendran, Arya Vaidya Sala trustee Dr K Muraleedharan, folklore scholar Dr EK Govindavarma Raja, and Thirunavaya Navamukunda Temple chief priest Sreehari Girish Namboothiri will act as gurus.

Kozhikode
Kerala Sahitya Akademi President Kalpetta Narayanan, writer Ambikasuthan Mangad, author Sheela Tomy, and City Police Commissioner AP Shoukat Ali will usher children into the world of letters.

Kannur
Eminent literary figures T Padmanabhan, M Mukundan, and CV Balakrishnan will interact with and initiate the young ones in Kannur.

New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Dubai
In New Delhi, Union Tourism Ministry Joint Secretary S Harikishore will preside as guru. Chennai will see leading cardiologist Dr VV Bashi and music composer Sharreth initiating children. In Mumbai, former Vice Chancellor Dr James Thomas and IIT Bombay Professor GV Sreekumar will lead the ceremony. Bengaluru will feature acclaimed author Anita Nair and former editor AVS Namboothiri, while Dubai will host Aster DM Healthcare CMD Dr Azad Moopen, Indian Consul General Dr E Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, and National Teacher Award winner Dr SJ Jacob.