PANJIM, OCT 5
Panjimites must be a happy lot today as Panjim Municipal Garden (Gracia De Orta) at Church Square was finally opened for public amidst fireworks and much fanfare.
Politicians didn’t take the centre-stage for once, and after a few photos were clicked of the city’s ward corporators, the event was all about the people. It’s the model code of conduct enforced in view of the Valpoi by-poll deterred the chances of politicians taking a centre stage at today’s evening. Earlier, CCP Mayor Carolina Po inaugurated the garden where she was escorted by deputy mayor Yatin Parekh, ward corporators and staff of the CCP. The Goa Forest Development Corporation officials and its chairperson Pratap Gawas were also present. However, city commissioner Elvis Gomes, who was instrumental in getting the project completed could not attend the function due to an illness.
Po’s short speech saw her thanking CCP commissioner Gomes, senior level engineers Prakash Chandra and Vivek Parsekar, CCP staff, the GFDC officials including Richard D’Souza and Francis Coelho, and the tourism department for providing Rs 1 crore for the project back in 2006.
Centrally located, the garden has a pathway, band stand, utility room and jogging track.
