Shigmo is one of the big celebrations in the state. Celebrated in the month of April it brings together people of all ages. This year however everything has been turned upside down. The various bodies involved in the organization of gulaal and shigmo had a difference of opinion and everything was at a standstill. Now with the number of cases in Goa still constant, one would perhaps think better sense would prevail and the people concerned would take the necessary decision.
Bhai Naik who has been in the centre of the intense siscussions refused to speak. He said he would issue a statement after a meeting was held. However another individual who did not want to come on record said there was no chance Shigmo would happen this year. He however said the committee which had decided to not have the Shigmo wanted to celebrate an event called Pindika which would be celebrated a few days later. He said “I would like to see the ritual take place, nothing else; we should not have any big function. We are not celebrating gulal. These rituals can be done with 5 to 6 people. I don’t however understand how can you say no to Shigmo but still have Pindika which is a few days later. I suppose Bhai Naik and the others will talk and inform us.”
Prakash Kunde President of Zambolim Devastham when asked about the fate of the celebrations confirmed that Shighmo had been cancelled but admitted that a decision on having the Pindika would be taken shortly. He said “There is a lot of difference between Shigmo and Pindika. There will be less than 200 people for it. We have to think about it. Nothing has been decided as yet”.
For regular folk like Sharmad Raiturkar the decision would have to depend on how the vaccinations were taking place. He said “All the celebrations are taking place but I feel if Shigmo happens it should be done in a very limited manner. The virus is still around us and cases are still being reported. If anything has to be held it has to be done without involving a lot of people”.
Couple of other people contacted made it very clear that the situation was just not right to have large public celebrations and if anything had to be done, it would have to be in a very restricted manner. All of them businessmen said the subject had raised the temperature in some quarters and they would prefer to not come out on the record. One of them ended by saying with the number of cases being reported remaining steady, it would make sense to stay prudent.
