August 17, 2021: Faced with continued challenges to its tourism industry –thanks to the  Covid pandemic --  Kerala Tourism has tried to harness social media and a virtual stage to  ramp up interest. And it has   cannily leveraged the upcoming Onam festival to do this.
The tourism department  invites all  friends worldwide,to participate in the Loka Pookkalam (Global Pookkalam Competition). Pookalam or floral carpet making is a key  feature of the festival.
The online contest is divided into two categories — one for people residing in Kerala and the other for those outside the state. All individuals and institutions,associations or organisations are eligible to participate in the competition, which will conclude on August 23, 2021 midnight (IST).
There is no age limit or entry fee for this contest. Prospective applicants can  check in to www.keralatourism.org/contest/pookkalam2021/ and fill in basic details for registration. You will get a registration code by email upon successful registration. Entrants must mark the registration code on the floor beside the Pookkalam (Floral Carpet) in a legible format.
Take two images - a nice photograph of the Pookkalam along with the registration code and another photo of participant (s) with/without family members alongside the Pookkalam. Login to the website and upload the images. A maximum of five entries can be uploaded under each category.
Best three entries in each category will receive exciting prizes( the department has not spelt out what the prizes are). Besides, 10 top entries in each category will receive consolation prizes. Altogether, 52 exciting prizes are up for grabs
A judging committee, appointed by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, will further evaluate these selected entries and decide the winners. The judgement will be made on the basis of the artistic worth of the Pookkalam as well as the "likes" they receive in the media.