the goan I network
MARGAO
May Day this year went without the usual celebrations, including rallies by workers and also the annual picnics along Salcete’s coastal belt.
Come May Day, and workers, groups, families et al normally used to head to Salcete coastal belt to beat the summer heat. Betalbatim’s Sunset beach always played host to hundreds of picnic groups from Salcete and outside on May Day. And, not to mention the world-famous Colva beach and other beach belts along Salcete belt, right up to Cavelossim -- the buzz was missing this year.
All, however, was quite along the beach belt with the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown still in force and curbs on travelling and assembly of people. The Sunset beach has been the most favoured picnic destination for many a family or groups given its picturesque surroundings, though the tree cover around has been on the decline over the years.
Betalbatim Sarpanch Constancio Miranda said the Betalbatim beach wore a deserted look on May Day because of the lockdown. “Many picnickers used to come to the Sunset beach on May Day over the years. This year, however, the beach wore a deserted look,” the Sarpanch informed.
At the adjoining Colva beach, the ground reality bore a similarity with hardly any people. Only a motley group of local youth were seen on the beach, while country made boats lay anchored on the shore.
