What is the distance to success? The Malayalam language activists associated with Aikya Malayala Prasthanam would probably say 20 days. After their almost three-week-long hunger strike, the Kerala government and the Kerala PSC Chairman have now given a nod to their demand — make a provision to write the examination in Malayalam. 


"Only a few examinations are currently conducted only in English. But now, we have decided to give a provision to arrange Malayalam question papers for those too. Also, the applicants can write these exams in English and Malayalam," said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. "There are obvious practical difficulties in preparing these question papers. To discuss the same and come up with a feasible solution, we will have a meeting soon with the Vice-Chancellors of universities. These difficulties will be high when it comes to terms related to medicine, engineering and computer. We will also form a special committee to translate these properly and come up with a proper encyclopedia," he adds. 

The Aikya Malayala Prasthanam members, with the solidarity of a number of other poets, academics and activists were on a hunger strike in front of the Kerala Public Service Commission office in Thiruvananthapuram, since the end of August. They even fasted on the day of Onam. The government, however, is yet to meet the protestors.