CM Pramod Sawant visiting the 22nd edition of Lokotsav in Canacona.
Photo Credits: Narayan Pissurlenkar
Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai along with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday inaugurated the 22nd edition of Lokotsav 2022 at Adarsh Gram, Amone-Poinguinim, organised by Adarsh Yuva Sangh and Shree Balram Education Society in association with Union Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Speaking on the occasion Governor Pillai said Lokotsav is one of the largest people’s gatherings in the country and added that he is extremely happy to participate in the event a second time.
“If we analyse the ideology, literature and life of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and others, their opinion was that the goal of Swarajya and Surajya can be achieved only through Gramswarajya and Antyodaya Tatva, meaning serving to the last citizen of the society,” he remarked.
“I have visited Cancona Taluka thrice through my Goa Sampurna Yatra and have asked an expert team and Goa University to study the problems and get solutions to the problems and difficulties faced by people.”
“I am writing a book on the heritage trees of Goa and have identified 31 such types of trees. The tree in the premises of Partagal Math in Canacona is one of the oldest trees I have come across the State,” Pillai said.
CM Sawant said people from across Goa visit the Lokostsav as it is one of the annual festivals for which people wait eagerly.
“The concept of the Lokotsav itself describes that the organisers are connected with the land. Every citizen of the State, be it youth, women or old age, should be self-sufficient and make the State self-reliant,” he said.
“Lokotsav is the event which preserves the culture of the State. Human development is very much important just like other infrastructure development,” he said.
Lokotsav has played a major role to revive and get energy level high to the folk culture of the State, he added.
PWD Minister Nilesh Cabral said the excitement of the people and popularity of the Lokotsav itself describes the event.
Host of the Lokotsav and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar, Bihar MLA Nikki Hembrom and Chairman of Economic Development Corporation Sadanand Shet Tanawde also spoke on the occasion.
MLA’s Premendra Shet, Ulhas Tuenkar, Daji Salkar, Pravin Arlekar and Rajesh Phaldessai, Zilla Panchayat Members Shanu Velip and Kushli Velip, Chairperson of Cancona Municipal Council Ramakant Naik Gaonkar, President of Shree Balram Education Society Anushk Gaonkar, former deputy chief minister Babu Kavlekar and others were among those present on the occasion.
The Bhagwan Birsa Munda Tribal Sports Festival organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Sports Authority of Goa, Adarsh Yuva Sangh and Balram Education Society was also inaugurated on the occasion.
