MARGAO
“Let us come together in devotion and seek the blessings of Our Lady of Velankanni,” reads a message issued by BJP State President Damu Naik ahead of the annual pilgrimage to Velankanni.
While the message may appear simple and is aimed at devotees across Fatorda ahead of the traditional Madi, novenas and feast of Our Lady of Velankanni, the initiative has a larger political significance, with the BJP State president once again putting Fatorda in the spotlight.
For, Naik has arranged a special train to Velankanni for devotees from Fatorda on the occasion of the feast of Our Lady of Velankanni. The move has revived speculation over whether the two-time former BJP MLA is preparing to take on his long-time political rival and Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai in Fatorda in the 2027 Assembly elections. Take note, the special train is not government-sponsored, but is being arranged through Naik’s initiative for devotees from Fatorda. Apart from ferrying the pilgrims to Velankanni, the initiative will also provide assistance with accommodation and food arrangements.
With the train having a capacity of around 1,200 passengers, Damu’s workers from Fatorda, including former Margao municipal councillors, have been mobilised to register devotees for the pilgrimage. While the train is primarily meant for devotees from Fatorda, people from neighbouring Margao and surrounding areas may also get an opportunity to travel if seats remain available. “There’s no politics behind my initiative. The train is purely arranged for the devotees from Fatorda, who face hardships and inconveniences in making it to Velankanni. Though I am not presently representing Fatorda, I am closely associated with the people,” Naik told 'The Goan' on Tuesday.
He said devotees registering for the special train would reach Velankanni in time for the traditional Madi on August 29 and would also get an opportunity to participate in the Novena Mass before returning home.
Naik also clarified that there was no government involvement in arranging the special train, reiterating that it was part of his personal initiative for the devotees of Fatorda. “We hope and pray that Our Lady of Velankanni will shower blessings on the people of Fatorda in particular and Goans in general,” he said.
Fatorda plans? Despite Damu’s assertion that there is no political motive behind the initiative, political observers and sources in Fatorda believe the move could fuel speculation over the BJP state president’s plans for the constituency ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. “After becoming the BJP state president, Damu has made a big presence in Fatorda, organising party programmes to mobilise karyakartas for 2027. Recently, he also organised free distribution of fertilisers for Fatorda farmers. All this certainly goes to show that he is working as per an agenda,” sources said. A former two-time BJP MLA from Fatorda, Damu has been politically active in the constituency since his elevation as BJP State president. His growing activities in Fatorda are therefore being closely watched amid the possibility of another electoral contest against Sardesai, who has represented the constituency since 2012.
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Pilgrims seek additional coaches, better timings as trains run full
MARGAO: With reservations on the weekly as well as special trains to Velankanni running to full capacity, Goan pilgrims planning their annual pilgrimage to the Our Lady of Velankanni shrine in Tamil Nadu have appealed to the government, Railways and elected representatives to attach additional coaches to the trains from August 24. The pilgrims have also urged the government to change the departure timings of the special trains arranged from August 27, saying an earlier departure would provide greater convenience to those travelling for the traditional Madi and the Novena celebrations of Our Lady of Velankanni.
Pilgrims from Goa are expected to embark on their annual pilgrimage on the weekly train scheduled to depart for Velankanni on Monday, August 24, ahead of the traditional Madi scheduled for August 29.
The weekly train will make another trip from Goa to Velankanni on Monday, August 31, carrying pilgrims attending the Novenas of Our Lady of Velankanni.
However, bookings on both weekly trains are already full, leaving hundreds of pilgrims still hoping to secure tickets to travel to the pilgrim centre.
Former Aquem-Baixo Sarpanch Inacio Dias told the media that attaching additional coaches to the existing weekly trains would provide significant relief to pilgrims. “We are not asking for additional special trains to run between Goa and Velankanni, but our request to the government, Ministers, MPs and MLAs is to explore the possibility of attaching additional bogies to the existing weekly trains and clear the rush of passengers,” Dias said.
Dias also urged the government and South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes to use their good offices with the Railways to change the departure timings of the special train, which is fully booked on August 27.
As per the current schedule, the first special train will depart for Velankanni on August 27 at 11.30 pm and reach the pilgrim centre at around 3 am on August 29. The traditional Madi is scheduled for the evening of August 29.
Dias said the late-night departure and early-morning arrival would create difficulties for pilgrims, particularly in finding accommodation upon reaching Velankanni. “When pilgrims reach Velankanni in the wee hours of August 29, they face great hardships and inconveniences in finding hotel rooms and to prepare for the traditional Madi scheduled in the evening,” he said.
