VASCO
The traditional musical orchestras, processions and colourful celebrations to mark Holi festival in the port town were noticeably missing this year, amid growing Covid cases and the imposition of Section 144 in the port town.
The Murgao Nagrik Shigmotsav Samiti (MNSS) led by its presidents and former Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chairpersons Shekhar Khadapkar and Deepak Naik along with former minister Rajendra Arlekar performed traditional rituals at the Lord Damodar temple in Vasco.
The members offered prayers and placed a coconut and flowers before Lord Damodar,
It is only after these rituals that people in the port town usually sprinkle colour on each other, but this year with the imposition of Section 144, members dispersed from the temple after applying colours on each other.
The musical bands which usually move across the port town belting out Bollywood hits were absent, while many restaurants also remained closed on Monday.
Most roads in the city, which would have been filled with people from all walks of life, were largely devoid of the celebrations.
The situation was no different at the beaches in Baina and Bogmalo, where police teams had been deployed to ensure strict implementation of Section 144 and to prevent avoid mass gatherings in public places.
However, Section 144 did not seem to stop people from enjoying the festival of colours in their houses and residential societies.
Speaking to reporters after performing traditional rituals, Arlekar said it was unfortunate that people were forced to have Holi celebrations in a subdued manner amid the Covid pandemic.
“We have no choice as cases are rising and the Covid situation is bad not only in Goa but the world over and all festivals are being celebrated in a subdued manner.”
MNSS President Shekhar Khadapkar said Holi had been celebrated as per traditional rituals after offering a shreefal (coconut) to Lord Damodar.
“We offered prayers to Lord Damodar to get rid of the Covid pandemic,” said Khadapkar.
Vasco BJP Block President and MNSS Joint President Deepak Naik said, “We celebrated Holi without any grand celebrations due to the imposition of Sec 144 and Covid cases. We hope things will change soon and we will celebrate like before.”
