MARGAO
Around half-a-decade after the carnival and shigmo parade route was shifted to the SGPDA-Ravindra Bhavan-Nehru Stadium road, the Margao Municipal Council on Friday resolved to revert back the carnival and shigmo route back to the old Holy Spirit Church-Margao Municipal square route.
The decision implies that the ensuing carnival float parade scheduled in Margao on February 19 will be held along the Holy Spirit Church-Margao Municipal square route. The Municipal resolution further implies that the shigmo float parade scheduled in the city in the month of March will also be held along the Holy Spirit Church-Margao Municipal square route.
The BJP-backed Margao Municipal councillors headed by Chairperson Damu Shirodkar had their way with the resolution to revert back the carnival and shigmo float parade in the city. The resolution was passed with majority 14-9 votes, with as many as 14 BJP-backed councillors raising their hands in support, while the opposition Goa Forward councillors and the lone independent Ganashyam Shirodkar preferring not to support the resolution.
Discussion on the contentious issue of float parade was set in motion at the special meeting chaired by Chairperson Damu Shirodkar by BJP councillor Mahesh Amonkar when he rooted for the return of the carnival and shigmo parade back in Margao along the Holy Spirit Church-Margao Municipal square. He said the situation has changed in the city after the shifting of the Hospicio hospital to the district hospital, adding that the Loyola ground could be utilised for vehicular parking to take care of parking on the parade day.
Ex-chairperson and Goa Forward councillor Lyndon Pereira rooted in favour of the SGPDA-Nehru Stadium route, pointing out that the traffic police has recommended the new route because of traffic congestion.
On the other hand, senior BJP councillor Sadanand Naik said citizens of Margao, Fatorda and Salcete will be happy if the parade route is brought back to Margao. “I don’t think anyone would object to the resolution to revert back the parade route back to Margao,” he said.
Goa Forward councillor Ravindra Naik cautioned the councillors not to rush with the resolution, pointing out that the High Court had decided in favour of the Fatorda route in the year 2020. He cautioned that the Goa Forward councillors will not be responsible if a contempt petition is filed in the High Court and the Court imposes fines on the city fathers for changing the route once again. He said ‘We for Fatorda’ should be given permission to hold the four-day carnival festivities near the Ravindra Bhavan.
He further demanded to know why the very same councillors did not move a proposal to revert back the float parades back in the city though they were part of the civic body in the last two years.
Chairperson Damu Shirodkar placed before the Council meeting the petitions the civic body has received from the city and from the neighbouring villages to get back the float parade back to Margao this year.
BJP councillor Camilo Barretto, who was unanimously elected the acting President of the Margao Carnival Committee, welcomed the decision, saying the shifting of the Hospicio hospital has reduced traffic congestion in the city.
The chairperson later announced that the resolution to revert back the carnival and shigmo parade back to Margao has been passed by majority. He allayed fears raised by the members on parking and other issues, saying the authorities will take note of their concerns and take measures.
SCM criticises change in carnival parade route
MARGAO: Criticising the change in the Margao carnival parade route, the Shadow Council for Margao said it cannot really understand why carnival is seen as a political opportunity rather than celebrating the festival in the right spirit without causing inconvenience to the general public.
“Three years ago a similar game of politics was seen where eventually the High Court ruled that the parade should be held along the Ravindra Bhavan route. And due to the stubbornness of the then committee, lakhs of public funds were wasted on the pandal and other decorations put up near the Municipal building, stated SCM convenor Savio Coutinho.
Coutinho stated that the decision of adoption of the Ravindra Bhavan route was in view of administrative convenience and public safety, thereby confirming that it was in the larger public interest.
