VASCO
The Mormugao Nagrik Shigmotsav Samiti (MNSS) , an organisation which organises Shigmo celebrations in the port town, on Saturday demanded that Vasco be allowed to hold Shigmotsav celebrations.
MNSS President Shekhar Khadapkar said it was unfortunate that only three cities of Panaji, Ponda and Mapusa were allowed Shigmotsav celebrations, while Vasco was being offered step-motherly treatment.
Khadapkar said while Shigmotsav was denied in Vasco since the last two years, even Carnival was not held in Vasco this year.
"I wonder why Vasco is being step-motherly treatment by the tourism department. While people were upset that Carnival was not held in Vasco this year, people are again being denied Shigmotsav celebrations this year as well and Covid is being cited as the reason.”
“I want to ask the tourism minister if Covid is confined only to Vasco and is Vasco still being discriminated?”
“If we go by the health bulletin on February 19, active Covid cases in the three towns allotted the Shigmotsav celebrations are Panaji (41), Mapusa (22) and Ponda (37). On the other hance, Vasco has only 17 active cases and yet, it has been denied permission to stage Shigmotsav,” said Khadapkar.
He claimed that the port town is home to many vital installations and government organisations.
“When people from all over Goa travel to Vasco for work, what is the issue if we celebrate Shigmotsav in Vasco? These celebrations are part of our traditions and these mythological floats spreading religious education happens only in Goa.”
“I appeal Tourism Minister Babu Ajgoankar to allow us to hold Shigmotsav celebrations in the port town and I hope he will oblige to our request.”
“Either the Shigmotsav celebrations should not happen anywhere or be held everywhere in the State. We just cannot be discriminated all the time,” Khadapkar added.
