the goan I network
PONDA
When religious floats highlight a problem prevailing in society, it only goes to show that public anger is palpable on a particular issue.
At the famous float parade on the fifth day of the Ganesh festival at Adpai, one float depicted the issue of potholes and its links to several road mishaps. Incidentally, Adpai is located in Marcaim constituency, which is represented by PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar. Every year, floats depicting mythological scenes and highlighting current issues attract a huge number of spectators at Adpai-Durbhat during Chaturthi.
One float which delivered the message of safety on roads, had a poster saying “Road accidents occur due to potholes.” The float had Ganapati in the middle of a picture of a potholed road. A picture of the float soon went viral on social media.
Before immersion, the idols are taken to the village ‘mantap’ (temple hall) where the idols are worshipped again.
The idols are then taken in canoes for immersion in the river. The devotees take the canoe in the middle of the river and immerse the idols.
According to locals, people from Adpai who are settled elsewhere return to their ancestral houses during Chaturthi to celebrate Ganesh festival. Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik, who is from Adpai, also joined the villagers and celebrated Chaturthi. Cabinet ministers and other politicians also visited the house of Shripad Naik and later witness the floats.
South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar and former MLA Damodar Naik also made their presence felt in Adpai. Damodar Naik has his ancestral house in Adpai.
