Team Herald
PANJIM: As the countdown for the 2018 Carnival begins, Tourism Department has set the stage for this year’s extravaganza laying emphasis on ‘Clean and Beautiful Goa’. The four-day fiesta that will be flagged off in Panjim on Saturday coincides with the Goa Food & Cultural Festival slated from February 9-13.
With the number of participating floats yet to be finalised by the screening committee, Tourism Minister Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar at a press conference said, “We have received over 100 entries so far. For the first time, Goa Police is participating in the float parade.”
The parade will take a new route and Herald was the first to report that the parade’s start point will be at Science Centre and culminate near Caranzalem Park. The screening committee will examine the floats before the commencement of the parade to ensure that standard operating procedure is followed. With decency the main criteria, the authorities have also ensured that no scrap vehicles will be allowed in the parade.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dharmesh Angle, also present at the press conference said RTO officials who are part of the screening committee will certify the vehicles.
Bruno Azaredo (57), from Utorda, who will lead the Carnival Parades as King Momo, has participated in previous Carnival festivities as a dancer. He insisted on practicing Clean Goa all round the year.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation Chairman Nilesh Cabral seconded this stating that the concept for Carnival is Clean and Beautiful Goa.
The total prize money for the float competitions has been enhanced to Rs 7.35 lakh as against 6.25 lakh last year.
The Goa Food & Cultural Festival will be inaugurated on Friday, the eve of Carnival. A statement issued by Tourism Department stated that the five days will bring together professionals from the tourism and hospitality industry, hoteliers, restaurateurs, beverage brands and lifestyle outlets to showcase their offerings.
The Chef de Goa competition will also be held to celebrate the rich cuisine of Goa, and contestants will have to participate in a series of rounds to win the coveted title.
