It is really good to see our young generation keep the old tradition alive of making effigies of Old Man to mark goodbye to the previous year. Yes, making effigy of Old Man is an opportunity for the children to display their artistic talent.
I remember my childhood days when boys and girls from various wards would get together to make effigy of Old Man as the year drew to a close. We would throughout the day stand by the road where the effigy of the Old Man was placed and at night before 11 go to each and every house singing Old Man song. Later share the money collected from households to celebrate the New Year with lots of love, fun and happiness.
It is a ritual to burn the Old Man effigy amid fireworks before making to the midnight/early morning mass and say goodbye & thank you for the previous year. Our elders advised us to be safe on roads while walking with the money box because safety always comes first. Those were the golden days of our lives and I salute the young generation for keeping the tradition alive.
Tears of happiness flow after looking at the kids making Old Man and taking me back in time to those good old days. The year 2020 has been more of a grief for the entire world on account of Covid infection but we have to thank God for keeping us safe and alive. I request all to stay safe, stay blessed during this pandemic. Wear face mask and maintain social distance.
RONNIE D'SOUZA, Chandor
