Margao MLA Digambar Kamat with the MMC-led Shigmotsav Samiti. BJP leader Damu Naik addressing the Margao Shigmotsav Samiti at its meeting on Monday evening. Santosh Mirajkar
shigmo parade celebration in margao
MARGAO
All eyes are focused on Tuesday's meeting convened by Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), who will decide whether the Damu Naik-led Margao Shigmotsav Samiti or the Margao Municipal Council-led Samiti, having the backing of local MLAs “ Digambar Kamat and Vijai Sardesai “ will organise the ensuing Shigmo parade in the city.
This question assumes significance given that the two samitis held their respective meetings on Monday, as they are braced up to organise the Shigmo parade with government funds. While Margao MLA Digambar Kamat made his presence felt at the meeting of the joint meeting of the Margao Municipal Council and Margao Shigmotsav Samiti, former MLA Damu Naik presided over the meeting of the Margao Shigmotsav Samiti at the samiti office at Malbhat. The two meetings, which were held separately in the city, were held on Monday evening.
The meeting held at the MMC hall, chaired by MMC Chairperson Babita Angle Prabhudesai, has appointed Vasant Shirodkar as the Chairman of the Organising Committee, with powers to constitute the samiti to organise the ensuing Shigmo parade. Babita later told the media after the meeting that the MMC has gone ahead with the organisation of the Shigmo parade with support and cooperation of the Shigmo samiti led by Vasant Shirodkar. “MMC has taken the initiative to hold the Shigmo parade in the city after the civic body received a letter from the GTDC to constitute the committee. We have now asked the GTDC to route the government funds towards the organisation of the Margao shigmo parade through the civic body," she said, while reiterating that the MMC-led Samiti will hold the Shigmo parade at the Old Market-Ravindra Bhavan route. It is learnt that the MMC-led Samiti is toying with the idea of holding the Shigmo parade in the city on March 27.
Damu Naik, on the other hand, said that the Margao Shigmo samiti will hold its annual parade in the city, most likely on March 26. He, however, said that the final date will be decided after Tuesday’s meeting called by the GTDC in Panaji, wherein all issues concerning the Shigmo parade route and the organisation aspects will be addressed.
