Kochi: Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas sustained critical injuries at the Kaloor International Cricket Stadium during Mridanga Naadam 2024. The event, Mridanga Naadam 2024, aim to break the Guinness World Record loses its vibe, when Uma Thomas, MLA accidentally falls from a height of approximately 20 feet before the start of the program. She was found bleeding profusely from her forehead and nose before being rushed to a nearby private hospital. Medical experts stated that her condition remains critical, and she is under the ventilator. Uma Thomas was among several dignitaries, including Minister Saji Cheriyan, who had gathered at the stadium for a Mega Bharatanatyam performance featuring nearly 12,000 artists at the Kaloor Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi. Mridanga Naadam 2024 is a Bharatanatyam event that aims to break the Guinness World Record. It is understood that Mridanga Vision is the organizer of the Bharatanatyam event. The information available from the advertisement of the program shows that Mridanga Naadam event is organized by Divya Unni, famous film star of Malayalam industry and renowned dancer. Padmashri Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, the renowned Indian musician, singer, lyricist, and composer, is also the part of the organizing committee. The accident is because of the lack of security for the audience, including the VIPs, from the part of event management group entrusted by the organizers.
More to add, it is homicide attempt from the part of organizers and serious negligence from the police, PWD and stadium authorities who had the responsibility and duty to inspect the venue and other facilities when Ministers, MLA s and other dignitaries are attending a program.
As part of the Guinness records guidelines, you should not conduct a Guinness World Record event without security arrangements for the audience. Guinness World Records will not allow records that could be dangerous or harmful to spectators. In these circumstances, it is unethical to present and receive the Guinness record, if at all, it is awarded.
Artists should have a humane heart and should have the serenity to admit the fault which led to the accident. It would have been appreciable if the organizers had stopped the program, which revealed the lapse in security to the audience. But humanity comes second for money, fame and awards.
Also we witnessed the mysterious silence and nod for the program to continue from the part of Ministers and Legislative and People’s representatives, when one women representative of the Kerala legislative become victim to the serious lapse.
Shame to the artists, organizers and politicians who become silent, allowed the program to continue and witness the rest of the program.
Shajil Anthru, Chairperson, K M Anthru Foundation, Trivandrum.
