MAPUSA: The youth of Mapusa on Thursday submitted a letter to the president of Bodgeshwar Devasthan demanding for 70 percent reservation of stalls for the locals in the upcoming temple zatra. This year the annual Bodgeshwar zatra, which attracts thousands of devotees from across the different walks of life, will be held for five days from January 20.
In this letter the youth have demanded the committee to provide an opportunity for the youth and Goans to do business during the annual feast since it was seen in the past that most stalls were given to outsiders. The signatories include Gauresh Keni, Pravin Asolkar, Siddhesh Azrekar, Siddesh Keni and Gauresh Sakhalkar.
The letter states that the major problem the state faces is of unemployment and hence the youth have requested the organizing committee to reserve 70 percent of the space for the youth of Mapusa and the surrounding villages. Goans need to be given a chance to install stalls and carry out business at the zatra.
Pravin Asolkar informed Herald that through this letter they have requested the committee of Shree Dev Bodgeshwar Temple to create a separate reservation for the youth and Goans.
“We have written to them without any hidden agenda as it is our social responsibility to stop the youth from choosing the wrong path in life due to unemployment. Most youth do not get a chance or opportunity to carry out business either in the Mapusa market or any other surrounding area,” said Pravin.
