the goan I network
VASCO
The Vasco Shigmo float parade scheduled on Wednesday has been cancelled, considering the threat of coronavirus and the State government’s recent advisory to avoid mass gatherings.
The decision was taken at a meeting convened by the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar along with organising committee of Murgao Nagrik Shigmotsav Samiti (MNSS) on Monday afternoon.
MNSS Presidents Deepak Naik, Shekar Khadapkar and members Prakash Gawas, Pratap Gaonkar, Nitin Chopdekar, Vijay Nagvekar and Santosh Kerkar were present at the meeting.
The matter was discussed at length and considering the present situation and in view of the government’s notification on coronavirus, the Shigmo float parade scheduled on Wednesday was cancelled.
Later speaking to reporters, MMC Chief Officer Gaurish Shankhwalkar said the government had recently issued an advisory to avoid mass gatherings and had left it to Shigmo committees all over the State to take a call on their respective Shigmo festivals.
“We convened a meeting with organising committee of MNSS to take a call on the Shigmo celebrations in Vasco. Given the government’s notification and considering that Vasco is centrally located with port, airport and railway connectivity, which could have high chances of people and revellers being infected with coronavirus, we decided to cancel the Shigmo celebrations,” said Shankhwalkar.
MNSS President Shekar Khadapkar said it was probably the only year where Shigmo celebrations were embroiled in a controversy right from the start.
“Initially there was a row over electing an MNSS president and two presidents were appointed. Then, we had Shigmo celebrations coming under the code of conduct due to ZP Elections and the Shigmo responsibility was handed over to the MMC chief officer. Now, we have the coronavirus scare forcing us to cancel the Vasco Shigmo festival for the first time,” said Khadapkar.
“A lot of people and social groups had made preparations for the traditional mythological floats and “Romta Mel” well in advance and were to participate at the Shigmo not for prizes but to keep the tradition alive.”
“I request the government to offer some money, if not the full amount, to the groups who had prepared their traditional floats to participate in the Shigmo float parade,” added Khadapkar.
MNSS President Deepak Naik said that Canacona and Bicholim committees had also cancelled their Shigmo Celebrations and considering the safety, the MNSS had also decided to cancel the Shigmo celebrations in Vasco scheduled for Wednesday.
