Puducherry schools to be shut tomorrow owing to Masi Magam festival

Puducherry: All government and private schools in Puducherry and Karaikal regions will have a holiday on February 16 on account of Maasi Magam festival, an official said on Monday. In a press release, Puducherry government's Joint Director of Education V G Sivagami said the revision examinations would be held as scheduled on the day.

Maasi Magam is an important festival and processional deities of many temples from within the Union Territory and neighbouring Tamil Nadu would be installed on the seashore for 'theerthavari' (ceremonial bathing) in Vaithikuppam coastal village. The festival takes place on the occasion of full moon day in the Tamil month of Maasi (February-March).

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All schools and colleges which remained closed since January 10 because of the rise in coronavirus cases here reopened on February 4. A spokesman of the directorate of education said the institutions would function on all six days and were asked to ensure adherence to safety protocols.

In other news, Congress leader and former Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy has hit out at Chief Minister N Rangasamy for `keeping quiet without raising protests' against holding NEET examination. Addressing reporters on Sunday night via video-conference, Narayanasamy said the Puducherry CM should write to the Prime Minister, Union Home and Health Ministers respectively registering the territorial government's objection to NEET and reject the system of holding the entrance exam for selection of medical students.