MARGAO
The traditional Shigmo festivities began in the commercial capital on Monday with the offering of sacred coconut to the city’s presiding deity, Lord Damodar, even as TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai called upon the people to sink all differences and join hands to celebrate a single festival this year.
In another development, Madgaon Shigmotsav Samiti President Yatin Faldesai told the media in the presence of the TCP Minister at the Pimpalkatta that he called on former Fatorda MLA Damu Naik with a plea to join hands for the celebration of one Shigmo in the city.
Addressing the media after offering the sacred coconut to Lord Dambab at the Pimpalkatta, the TCP Minister expressed his satisfaction that various groups have come together to celebrate one Shigmo this year. “I call upon all the people of Margao and Fatorda to leave behind all differences and come forward to celebrate the ensuing Shigmo festival. I am happy that efforts to unite all the groups to celebrate one shigmo have paid dividends,” he said.
Saying that the Opinion Poll square will play host to the Shigmo parade on March 4 as per the advice of the district administration and traffic authorities, Sardesai said the Shigmo celebration will culminate with a Lavni programme at the Lohia Maidan at Margao.
That the newly-elected president of Madgaon Shigmotsav Samiti and Sardesai’s close aide Yatin Faldesai went to meet former MLA Damu Naik to join hands in Shigmo celebrations this year showed that attempts are underway to get various groups on board.
Yatin told the media at the Pimpalkatta that he called on Damu in the morning to invite him for the coconut offering ceremony and to participate in the traditional festival. “Damu told me that he is fully supporting the efforts to hold one Shigmo in the city,” he said.
Former MMC councillor Damu Shirodkar thanked Vijai Sardesai, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, besides former MLA Damu Naik for playing their role in holding a united Shigmo in the commercial capital this year.
