Kannur edges ahead as tight three-way battle unfolds at Kerala School Kalolsavam

Thrissur: Kannur district took a slender early lead on the second day of the 64th Kerala State School Arts Festival with 472 points in Thrissur on Thursday. Kozhikode (468) and Thrissur (466) are breathing down their neck, with three days remaining.BSS Gurukulam HSS, Palakkad, topped the overall rankings with 113 points. On Thursday, competitions were held in 58 events across 25 venues.General education minister V Sivankutty and revenue minister K Rajan, meanwhile, said 333 lower-level appeals were received, of which 30 resulted in students securing grades and obtaining refunds. Twenty five appeals were filed at the higher level, of which five were allowed.+Organisers said some competitions on the opening day were delayed, mainly due to appeal process, but added that most venues were now adhering to scheduled timings.The food court also saw brisk activity. Around 25,000 participants and visitors were served meals on Wednesday while more than 17,000 consumed lunch by Thursday afternoon alone.‘"Star' accommodation is arranged for students at 21 centres. About 1,800 are currently housed there, supported by 110 trained personnel. Security and medical arrangements are strengthened with the deployment of doctors, ambulances, fire force units, police surveillance and the services of around 700 volunteers across all venues," said Sivankutty.