MARGAO
With the Ganesh festival fast approaching, the South Goa district authorities on Tuesday went into a huddle with the representatives of Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav mandals to discuss and put an effective Covid SOP in place for smooth conduct of the traditional festivities.
The authorities as well as the mandal representatives have agreed that the Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals should form the platform to send a message on Covid vaccination to the people.<
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Chaired by Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Margao, Jyoti Kumari and Deputy Collector, Joao Fernandes, the meeting invited suggestions from the representatives of the Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandals how to go about the festivities this year against the backdrop of the Covid pandemic situation in the State.
The representatives have offered their suggestions, including their suggestion that the mandals should be allowed to take the decision on the number of days of celebrations, the immersion and the staggered timings on the days of immersion.
After the meeting, SDM Jyoti Kumari told the media that the interaction has helped the authorities to take the feedback and inputs from the representatives of the community Ganeshutsav mandals.
Saying that representatives of around 20 mandals attended the meeting, she pointed out that the mandals made a host of suggestions how to go about the festivities.
“From our side, we have made it clear that the festivities should take place after following the proper Covid protocols, including social distancing and wearing of masks. We have also impressed upon the representatives to make the festival the platform to send the message of Covid vaccination,” she said.
Kumari added: “All the suggestions will go to the government for a decision. The government’s take on the festivities will be communicated to the mandal,” she said, adding that the suggestion made by the mandals for single window clearance for permission will be looked into by the authorities.
President of Shree Sidhivinayak Trust, Gogol Pandurang Rajaram Naik said that the mandals will cooperate with the government authorities on the conduct of the festivities in view of the Covid pandemic. “The Covid situation had gone out of control in the second wave. We have to be cautious now. There are still many people who have not taken the vaccination. It is important that people do go for the vaccination and follow the government SOP,” Naik said.
He said the mandals are in favour of going by the decision of the government and cooperate with the authorities keeping in mind the Covid pandemic.
