Joel Morais
As a child I have seen Catholic wedding celebrations in villages which were held till 5 in the morning and nobody got disturbed. Tiatr for the village church feast used to commence at 10:30 p.m. and almost half of the village remained present to witness the show. There are many cases in which the Tiatr even commenced at midnight and nobody got disturbed.
In one of the cases in Cuncolim, few years back when a Lenten drama by Pilar father was in progress at the Church campus, the police arrived at the site at about 10:30 p.m. and politely requested to stop the drama saying somebody complained about the disturbance caused due to the show organized by the Parish. Few Cuncollekars present at the site questioned the Police that almost all the people living around the Church are present for the Lenten show so the question of disturbance does not arise and finally we all came to know that a gentleman living in Panjim got disturbed due to the staging of the show in Cuncolim. The show was ultimately cut short to completion.
Till late 90’s, BPS Club in the heart of Margao was a famous marriage reception Centre for Saxttikars. Salcette Football Club used to have their grand traditional annual dance out there those days and the dance was always at full capacity. Nobody got disturbed those days but finally due to the implementation of so-called Madhya Pradesh Noise Pollution Act in Goa resulted in the banning of all functions involving loud music beyond certain time limit and that was the grand finale for the marriage receptions and Salcette sports club’s grand dance at BPS.
December is the festive time for the world. This is the month of weddings in Goa apart from various Christmas celebrations. Dining, dancing and drinking in a decent way is a part of catholic marriage celebration. It is a tradition and a part of Goan culture and don’t see any point in seeking permissions to have wedding receptions as they are always been held in a decent way. Yes,if people around the venue are getting disturbed then it is an issue but Goans are known to be very understanding. The statement given by Deputy Collector, Ajit and Margao PI Patil confirms their very weak mentality and high incompetency. If the authorities are seriously concerned about the security of the state, a six year child would not have been raped inside the school premises with no sign of the culprits till now and the list can go on. You stupid guys can ban your own wives from carrying anything you desire but it’s none of your business to stop open minded Goan ladies in carrying bags at the wedding venues. Have some shame in your selves, you shameless creatures. Soon even Churches might have to seek permission to conduct traditional midnight masses. I really cannot understand where we are heading to. Our people are turning from open minded to fanatics. God save our souls.
