MARGAO
Plans to shift controversial Sunburn festival in South Goa came in for stiff opposition from as many as five Panchayat gram sabha meetings in Salcete held on Sunday.
The issued had an echo at the meeting of the coastal village of Benaulim to heritage village Chandor and Telaulim, besides the two riverine villages of Ambelim and Velim, bordering the Quittol plateau, where Sunburn is tentatively scheduled on the IDC acquired land.
The extra-ordinary gram sabha of Benaulim panchayat chaired by Sarpanch Xavier Pereira discussed in details the pros and cons of having the Sunburn festival in south Goa. The members discussed at length whether the festival in South Goa would help the stakeholders, including stakeholders in the music industry, taxis etc.
After much discussions, the Gram Sabha felt that the advantages of having the Sunburn festival in South Goa were negligible as compared to the dark side of the proposed festival.
The Gram Sabha unanimously resolved to oppose Sunburn festival not only in the South but in entire Goa so as to safeguard our culture, our youth and families from the prevalent drug menace in these type of festivals.
Gram sabha member Rudolf Barretto pointed out that members were unanimous in their decision to oppose the Sunburn festival not only in South Goa, but in entire Goa.
The issue also figured at the gram sabha meetings of the village Panchayats of Chandor, Telaulim, Velim and Ambelim.
Chandor Sarpanch Estefan Dias said the resolution opposing Sunburn was unanimously opposed by the gram sabha. Similar resolution was adopted at the Telaulim Gram Sabha chaired by Sarpanch Lena Fernandes with members opposing Sunburn in down South.
Gram sabhas of the two riverine villages of Velim and Ambelim, which are bordering Quitol, where the Sunburn festival is being planned this year, has come out strongly against the plan to shift the festival to South Goa.
In fact, the resolutions adopted by the gram sabha meeting of Velim and Ambelim village Panchayats assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that one needs to make it to Quitol through Velim and Ambelim villages.
Already, villagers in these two villages have been complaining of tourists coming in droves on rent a car and bikes, driving on the narrow roads, leading to Cabo de Rama, Agonda and Palolem beach belt.
Social activist, Anthony D’Silva, who hails from Ambelim village, said the Ambelim gram sabha has vehemently opposed the Sunburn festival planned in Quitol in neighbouring Quepem taluka. “Today, we have decided that we are against any move to shift Sunburn to Quitol or in South Goa. Today, we have adopted a resolution to work closely with the villagers of Quitol and other villages to stop Sunburn festival”, he said.
He added: “There was not a single objection to the resolution to oppose Sunburn festival being held in South Goa. We will work in close coordination with people from other villages to oppose sunburn’.
Ambelim Sarpanch Alexander D’Silva said Sunburn has come to be associated with drugs, alcohol, indiscipline and rowdiness, adding that the people of Ambelim are opposed to these evil things raising it ugly head at the Sunburn festival in South Goa.
Meanwhile, the gram sabha of Velim Panchayat chaired by Sarpanch Veena Cardozo has also vehemently opposed the Sunburn in South Goa.
