The festival of Sao Joao is just a couple of days away. The Department of Tourism advertisement on social media reportedly indicates that Sao Joao celebrations are going to be held on a helipad at Old Goa. This will be one big step towards commercialization of the festival which is so dear to Goans.
Sao Joao celebrations were held in ponds and wells and in the last few years have been celebrated in swimming pools of hotels. The feast is marked by people jumping in water bodies wearing colourful crowns made from flowers and fruits, called Kopel, parading in the village and chanting “Sao Joao! Viva Sao Joao”.
However the festival today has now become a major draw for tourists and has turned into a complete package of merriment and joy for the visitors. Hence the onus of keeping the old traditions of the festival lies on the youth. Festivals, traditions, culture and diversity of the state need to be preserved and not commercialized for petty gains.
