It is a long festive weekend. Tourists are in Goa in pretty large numbers. It’s a happy time with friends and relatives visiting and everyone participating in the revelry that takes place during these times. For Goan families it is a very important time. Quite a few of them had plans scheduled for the weekend.
For writer Savia Veigas it would be dedicated to work. She said “I come from a family with strong work ethics. I am usually busy with work but every Saturday I spend the day painting and telling stories to my grandchildren. Anoop and I are taking it easy too. On Sunday we have planned to go cycling for more than 100 kms. On Saturday evening the Margao Book Club has its monthly meet. We are reading Selma Carvalho’s Sisterhood of Swans. Sunday evening will be spent explaining the solar system to my children”.
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Ameya Nayak however was all gung ho. He said “Since it’s the festive season, there is already a happy cheer in the air! That coupled with a long weekend is like a cherry on the cake. For us, this weekend is a mix of meet and greets, happy eats and all things, nice and sweet! Take it easy though because P.S it’s still pandemic times”.
Kevin Pinto harked back to the tradition associated with the festival and the effect the virus had on everything. He said “Usually people in the village carry the Dhendlo and walk through the village from house to house. It’s a sight to behold! However, this year due to the COVID situation and unpredictable weather, there isn’t much of this happening around. However, people are performing aartis/poojas at their respective homes, worshipping Lord Krishna.”
For some young Goans however the pressures of work were pressing. Aditi Shanbhag, a marketing professional felt the celebrations would mellow down after the first two days of Diwali. She said “Like me there will be plenty of others who will go back to work.”
Sidharth Mehta an entrepreneur based in Navelim said after a long 18 months with pandemic restrictions it felt good as the markets were now opening up and consumers had once again started to come out in large numbers for the shopping this festive season. He said “With attractive offers on various products my weekend is going to be at my workplace. It is a positive ray of hope that the market economy revives and smiles in each one’s families”.
It was work for Viresh Vazirani, an entrepreneur who said he would be working because the season had picked up and business was booming. He said “I’m one of those Goans who is swamped with work.”
Goculdas Nagvenkar who is pretty busy as a football administrator said he was enjoying it all post Diwali. He said “I am preparing for Bhaubij, the festival of brothers and sisters. I have enjoyed shopping for gifts for brothers and sisters and the family get-together. The Diwali festive season will continue till Tulsi vivah.”
However, for young Shimron Nathan a student said nothing had been planned by the family. She said “We were looking to go visit the beaches in south Goa. But with all this sudden rain in the middle of November that plan doesn’t look like it’s going to work out. Plus the fuel prices are also contributing to the reasons we’re staying at home this festive season. The government apparently lowered the price of fuel only for Diwali and my family rushed at full speed to fill up their tanks before the prices sky rocket again. I honestly do not consider that a kind gesture. This festive season is going to really curtailed but not only because of the fuel prices but also because of the rains which additionally ruined Narkasur night as well”.
It is obvious people are enjoying themselves and many are doing so with added vigour. The second stage of the virus has taken much out of people emotionally and everyone has decided to let their hair down while enjoying themselves with their families.
