PANAJI
The decision of the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to disallow the fair stalls at the Panjim Church feast on December 8, citing security reasons linked to the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn flak from residents.
Modi is scheduled to visit Goa to address the valedictory function of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress set to be held at the Kala Academy complex from December 8-11 and the Panaji parish celebrates the feast of its patroness, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception on December 8.
A fair of stalls selling traditional sweet meats among other wares usually traded at such feast fairs has been a tradition of the feast in the capital city celebrated days after the feast of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa.
Usually, some of the fair stalls from Old Goa moved to set up shop in the capital city a day or two before December 8 and stayed put for a few days after till their wares lasted. This year however the fair has not been allowed owing to Modi's visit and possible security concerns and also due to the threat of traffic disruption, according to CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate.
Residents haven't taken the decision well and have criticised the CCP for doing away with the fair at the Panaji feast this year altogether due to the PM's visit.
Former journalist and Fontainhas resident Gabriel De Sa questioned the CCP's logic of citing the Prime Minister's visit and traffic flow issues to justify the decision to disallow the fair.
"The fair could be allowed from December 7 to 9, and restricted to local sweetmeats, toys," De Sa said, rueing nonetheless that such traditional Goan fairs linked to Church feasts have changed and now become garment fairs.
"Modi's itinerary is Pernem and then Campal Ayurveda conference closing function. Church Square fair and Campal...security concern?," De Sa asked questioning the logic of citing the Prime Minister's security as a reason to disallow the fair.
