Team Herald
PONDA: The Shigmo parade at Ponda which had commenced at 6 pm was stopped by Deputy Collector and Ponda police at 10 pm due to time restriction enforced on account of model code of conduct. More than fifty per cent participants of Romatamel and float parade had to leave the parade half way as it was stopped at 10 pm.
It is learnt that around 30 Romatamel troops and 10 Romatamel groups had participated in the parade but half of the participants could not display their art causing frustration among public as well as Romatamel artistes and float parade.
The Antruz Shigmo Samithi, President Vijaykumar Verenkar told media: “We had told the artistes that the parade will be held between 3 pm to 10 pm due to code of conduct. As the artistes failed to stage their performance in the prescribed time, the parade was stopped at 10 pm sharp. The many floats and Romatamel troops in queue had to leave without displaying their art.”
It may be recalled that Ponda Shigmo parade which was scheduled to take place on March 21 was cancelled following the death of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. However, the Government authorities did not announce the float parade will be held or not and due to uncertainty Shigmo participants did not get sufficient time to arrange their floats despite investing money into it.
However, two days ago Election Commission gave its approval for the parade. However, the participants got little time to arrange their floats and so could not display their art although they had arrived at Ponda.
“Every year the float parade ends after 11 to 12 midnight all over Goa. It is difficult for us to arrange the floats that involve lot of technical work in such a short period,” said the float participants.
Government had organised float parade at seven places in Goa: Vasco on March 29, Quepem on March 30, Margao on March 31, Sanguem April 1, Cuncoliem April 3 and Canacona on April 5.
Earlier thousands had thronged Ponda to witness the grand Shigmo parade. Floats depicting culture, Romatamel, folk dance and fancy dress enthralled the crowd. Romatamel troupes marched the streets of the town beating drums, dhols, tashas and singing Shigmo songs.
Prayers to Goddess Mahalsa and local deities marked the commencement of the parade.
Tourism Director Sanjeev Gadkar lighted the traditional lamp in the presence of Antruz Mahal Shigmostav Samiti president Vijaykumar Verenkar, Ponda Municipality Chief Officer Navanath Naik, former Deputy Chief Minister and Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar and others.
