Mindful that a brawl involving some unruly Goans at Hounslow-West London on June 24 could spark off similar incidents and also deter many families from attending two mega Goan festivals in London planned in Hounslow next month, the organisers have taken additional measures to ensure that no untoward incidents take place at the venue.
The Goan Association UK will present the ‘UK Goan Festival’ on August 6, while Showbiz Global will host the ‘Goa Day London’ on August 26 and the ‘Bollywood Festival London’ on August 27. Both festivals will take place at the Cranford Community College in Hounslow.
UK GOAN FESTIVAL
The Goan Association UK, which has been hosting the Goan Festival since the early 1980s, will host the ‘UK Goan Festival’ at the Cranford Community College grounds on August 6.
“This is a family event focussed on promoting our Goan culture. Our event begins with an open-air Mass followed by cultural performances and entertainment. We have been commended by authorities for our meticulous planning and security at the event over the years. This has been achieved by hiring highly trained security personnel,” said GOA UK President Ravi Vaz.
“Our Goan community have been very cooperative and well-behaved in the past. I look forward to the same support from them this year too.”
Vaz said months of planning goes into the ‘UK Goan Festival’ with meticulous risk assessments carried out to ensure they are well prepared to mitigate any issues on the day.
“The safety of our attendees is of paramount importance, and we put necessary measures in place to ensure that all our attendees and their families have a safe and enjoyable event,” said Vaz.
“We work very closely with the Met Police, our security firm, and various authorities to ensure we have a zero-tolerance policy in place towards anti-social behaviour ensuring that our attendees and their families can enjoy the festival with peace of mind.”
“Security personnel, trained security dogs, security cameras will be present on the grounds. Random body and car searches will be carried out at the event to ensure safety of our beneficiaries.”
“Outside alcohol will not be allowed onto the grounds and the management reserves the right to admission. As always, we will have a medical team on-site with an ambulance service for emergencies. For easy accessibility, we have also put in place a free shuttle service between Hounslow west station and the venue,” Vaz added.
Further details of the ‘UK Goan Festival’ are available on the website (www.goauk.com).
GOA DAY LONDON
Showbiz Global, organisers of events around the globe, has reassured the Goan community of its commitment to safety and compliance at all its events, including the upcoming ‘Goa Day London’ on August 26.
“The ‘Goa Day London’ at the Cranford Community College promises an environment where safety and enjoyment go hand in hand. The primary focus lies heavily on stringent safety measures,” said one of the main organisers Calvin Barretto.
“In addition to managing potential incidents swiftly and professionally in partnership with local authorities, Showbiz Global allocates a considerable time-frame of 8 to 9 months for rigorous planning and preparation prior to the event.”
Barretto said Showbiz Global works closely with the Hounslow Council & Sag Committee to implement all necessary safety measures, emphasising a comprehensive approach to event security and management.
“In an initiative to bolster security, the organisation is deploying a substantial number of SIA Security personnel, event stewards, volunteers, and event managers. The event sees the introduction of CCTV as a part of our compliance measures, an enhancement that has been well-received by authorities.”
“Furthermore, Cranford Community College, the event venue, is equipped with a standard CCTV setup, adding another layer of security to the event.”
“Showbiz Global takes pride in its reputation for hosting safe and secure events, and this commitment to safety is expected to play a significant role in the success of the ‘Goa Day London’.”
Calvin, who spoke on behalf of his two colleagues, Somesh and Nitin, assured a secure and memorable event experience at the ‘Goa Day London’.
“We express our sincere gratitude to previous attendees and accord a warm welcome to potential new attendees. We invite everyone to participate in the Goa Day London celebration on August 26, where safety measures and event enjoyment promise to coalesce into an unforgettable experience,” he said.
Further details of the ‘Goa Day London’ are available on the website (www.showbizintl.com).
