The New Year is surely moving along. In a couple of days it will be February and yes the time of the carnival will be upon us. The carnival is a three day celebration which involves great exuberance. Music, dancing and great food feature prominently in these celebrations. The carnival attracts guests from all over the country and parts of the world. The crowds are out in numbers to watch the floats and the various performances. Now everything has changed needless to say. The virus has ensured that.
The authorities in Goa have decided to conduct the carnival with a call being made for interested individuals to audition for the role of King MOMO. This also means perhaps the parade will be held. Meaning crowds will be present. Something that is not advisable in these times.
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Vasco Alvares local celeb chef who has participated in previous editions of the Carnival at the Samba Square said he would be participating this year. He said “I don’t know if the floats will be out this year but look around you, people are out and about. Go over to the coast, it is packed. They have been flooding Fontainhas doing photo shoots. You see hundreds near the church on 18 June Road. I have to think of my business, so I will be there. Yes for our safety, we will follow all the rules and regulations. It will be more for us than for the visitors coming over.”
Messias Tavares, the man behind some of the biggest shows in the past said the government had decided to organize the carnival in Panjim and Margao and a meeting was scheduled with senior officials of the GTDC on February 1. He said “They have released advertisements asking for interested people to send in their applications for the post of King MOMO. So it looks like the floats will be there but I doubt the Samba Square will be organised. We will learn more after the meeting.”
Francisco (Fankit Martins) the man behind various floats over the years that has brought him fame and fortune said the carnival would happen without a doubt but it would not be big like the years gone by. He said “The virus is still around and people are scared to take part in the floats. This year the authorities have commenced preparations very late. With regards to the floats, no one has called me so I don’t really know what will happen. I am keeping my fingers crossed.”
For Bruno Azavedo Ex King Momo the run up to the carnival this year has been like nothing seen before. He said “Nothing has been planned this year, yes I am in touch with a few people but nothing is clear”.
Nilesh Shah President TTAG said the carnival should be held without any hesitation because everything was getting back to normal. He said “The state is attracting a large number of tourists and they will certainly attend it. The carnival is part of our tradition and it should continue. I however strongly believe all the precautions have to be taken. We have to take care. That is the only way forward for us. Covid is here to stay and we cannot go back to the days of the lockdown.”
Regular folk had other views. Young Goans were pretty clear while presenting their case.
Dylan Correya, a college student, felt the decision to hold the carnival was not right. He said “With the world in the grip of a pandemic, I don’t think it was a very good idea. The tourists will come in large numbers to watch it and no one will follow the protocols. The organisers will have to be very careful. I will not attend it and will prefer to watch it on television.”
Ishita Rao hoped all the protocols would be followed and the people attending it would take great care. She made it clear that she would not attend and would watch it on television if it was being telecast.
One can only hope the carnival passes without any problems.
