Chief Minister Pramod Sawant will lead the people of the State in paying tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on the occasion of his Birth Anniversary to be celebrated at Farmagudi, Ponda on February 19. Various programmes will be held to mark the commemoration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti at the State Level function and also across the State organised by the Department of Information and Publicity.
This year due to the ongoing construction work of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Digital Museum at Farmagudi, which is underway at the Fort only VVIP’s will be allowed during the garlanding of the Statue by the chief minister and other dignitaries.
The day-long programme will commence at 8.45 a.m. with presentation (Singing) of Powadas by Bal Bhavan Children. This will be followed by garlanding of the Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Farmagudi fort premises at 10.00 am followed by offering of flower petals at the pedestal (portrait) of the Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by Subhash Shirodkar, WRD Minister; Sudin Dhavlikar, Minister for Power; Govind Gaude, MLA; Deputy Sarpanch, Bandora Panchayat, Chitra Phadte; ZP Member Kavlem, Ganpat D Naik; Secretary, Information and Publicity, S.S. GILL, IAS (IAS); Director, Department of Information and Publicity, Dipak Bandekar, freedom fighters besides other dignitaries.
Thereafter the Chief Minister will garland the bust of former Chief Minister of Goa, Late Dayanand Bandodkar at Farmagudi and other dignitaries will offer floral petals. The main function will be held in the precincts of Shree Ganapati Temple premises at Farmagudi. Sawant and other Ministers will address the people on the occasion.
The Department will make arrangements for general public to pay the respects to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. A Portrait of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj will be placed at the entrance of the fort, where public can offer flowers and pay tributes. The provision will be made to avoid any untoward incident at the construction site.
Also School and College students will be involved in this celebration by participating in All Goa “Theatrical entry (Natya Pravesh) Competition” for students at High School & Higher Secondary Level on the life and work of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and All Goa “Inter-Collegiate Quiz” on the topic “Life, Times and Legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at precincts of Shree Ganapati Temple premises at Farmagudi.
The highlight of the celebration will be the staging of historical dramas on life of Chhhatrapati Maharaj across the State from February 18 to February 24. These include drama Hira Harapala, by Lalit Prabha Natya Mandal, Volvoi at Ravindra Bhavan, Baina, Vasco on February 18 and at Ravindra Bhavan, Sanquelim on February 19; Chhava by Madanant, Savoi - Verem, Ponda, Goa at Don Mad, Keri, Sattari on February 18; Raigadala Jevnha Jag Yete by Om Kala Srusthi, Nagueshi Bandora at Main State level Function at the precinct of Gopal Ganapati Temple, Farmagudi on February 19 and at Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti Hall, Kundai, Goa on February 21; Akash Mithi by Gajantlaxmi Sports & Cultural Club, Volvoi at Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem on February 19 and at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao on February 24; Jai Shivrai by Sai Purva Arts, Karmail, Tiswadi at Sai Sports & Cultural Club, Dukhorkond, Kalay, Sanguem on February 19 and at Shree Kulvansh Siddhi Devasthan, Dhargal, Pernem on February 21; Vishal Gadachya Vatevar by Shreenchi Ichha Theater, Harmal at Shiv Jayanti Samaroh Sammitee, Korgao, Pernem on February 20 and at Sacordem Education Society’s School, Sacorda on February 24; and Sahyadrila Jevha Jaag Yete by Shree Devi Ramayasaati Sports & Cultural Club, Kumbharjua at Vittjal Mandir, Bazarwada, Marcel on February 21. All dramas will start at 7.00 pm.
