SATURDAY, JULY 27, 2024
SANTOSH NAIK
PONDA: King Momo may have kicked off the carnival festivities by declaring his four-day reign with a call to eat, drink and be merry. But the King will not go to one major town in Goa for the second consecutive year- Ponda
The carnival fever has gone missing in Ponda town with no float parade being held for the past two years, leaving the residents completely upset.
The carnival celebrations commenced on Friday in Porvorim followed by Panjim and Margao on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
The festivities will continue till Tuesday at few other places. However, the ground reality in Ponda town is that the residents of Ponda are unhappy as they complained that the government is not celebrating carnival in the town and failed to provide grants for organising Carnival parade at Ponda since last year.
They questioned the authorities for not organising the carnival in Ponda since last year, even though it has been done in the past.
Claiming that there is a feeling of injustice, the locals questioned why Ponda was given a miss, whereas the mega float parade is being held in other towns as well.
Speaking to O Heraldo, Rocky Dias, a resident said, “The government is celebrating carnival in Panjim, Porvorim and Mapusa but Ponda town is neglected despite having four ministers from the taluka. Locals are eager to showcase their talent and creativity.
Earlier in the past, thousands of people of all ages enjoyed the Carnival float parade for two hours.
The people of Ponda started the carnival float parade in 2007 and later the government started providing grants for organising the parade each year.
However, due to the Covid pandemic, the festival has been affected and it’s been two years that the government has stopped releasing grants for the Carnival festivities.
When contacted, Agriculture Minister and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik said, “I have discussed the issue to restart Carnival in Ponda with the Tourism Minister. Efforts are on to restart the carnival festival in Ponda town and I am positive about it.”
Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude said that he and Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik already held meeting and discussed issue with Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte.
He said they requested Tourism Minister not to discontinue the Carnival float parade in Ponda.
Gaude said, “This festival unites the people from all communities and as Art and Culture minister he is aware of tradition. Efforts are on to restart carnival float parade in Ponda town.”
