CANACONA
The Navy may have refused permission to public to celebrate the traditional feasts on Anjediva Island in the Sea Bird Naval Project off Karwar since 2005, but that has not stopped a senior citizen from Canacona from persisting in his demand and petitioning authorities for permission.
Natividade De Sa has once again made a representation to authorities concerned, with copies to administrations in Goa and Karnataka, to allow the celebration of the feasts of St Francis of Assisi (October 4) and Our Lady of Springs (Nossa Senhora das Brotas) on February 2.
While his petition drew no response from the Navy and virtually all other government officials, the Deputy Commissioner of Uttar Kanada at Karwar informed De Sa that his request for permission to hold celebrations of both feasts at Anjediva Island has been forwarded to the Flag Officer Commanding, Indian Navy Karwar (Seabird) for further action.
The Additional Dy Commissioner, who signed the letter, has, however, requested De Sa to follow up with naval authorities.
People from various walks of life have been requesting naval authorities and the defence ministry to allow pilgrims to celebrate the two traditional feasts. The Goyche Fudle Pilge Khatir also petitioned to Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai and Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for access to celebrate the annual customary feasts at Anjediva Island on February 2 and October 4.
According to De Sa, the Goa government had handed over Anjediva Island to the Indian Navy in 1989, but people of Goa, especially from Canacona, who were traditionally celebrating both feasts at the island, were prevent by Indian Navy from 2005, citing security reasons.
