The Back to the streets performances and successful carnival celebrations held on the newly inaugurated and newly conceptualized Opinion Poll Square outside Ravindra Bhavan was all led by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardessai and Margao Municipality Councilors besides Margao Carnival Committee chairman Roussel De Miranda.
Roussel de Miranda who is also a well-known event planner and head of Hype Entertainment said the support of the hotel industry especially the starred hotels which set up food stalls had helped make the event a success.
Roussel went on to say that events like these can happen more often on the streets instead of sticking to open spaces and only the coastline but this would need an extension of sound permissions to at least 12am or else it was not possible. Councilor Glen Andrade commended the support of local people who turned out for the event on the streets of the city rather than choosing events on the coastline which was the real success of such an event.
Therese Pereira, a senior citizen from Borda who walked with her neighbor to the Opinion Poll square to take a seat on the road on the chairs and tables provided and listen to the Camel Riders, a global fusion band. Theresa asserted that she loved the fact the event had a sit out, a clean road instead of the usual dusty football grounds that double up as event venues and leave everyone dancing and sitting in the mud.
While Joseph Pinto from the vicinity of Fatorda liked the fact that the street lights and also the flood lights of the stadium created a light up ambience which meant there was no room for miscreants, vandals, anti-socials in the entire setup and hence there was no abuse of alcohol or for that matter people drinking illegally besides the availability of beers at the event was a good move by the organizers.
Jose Miranda said the fact there was an entry and exit point for the city made the square an ideal location for live events without traffic jams and accident free besides keeping the area a no motor zone.
“The plan to develop this space is the fact that it can be closed from traffic and has a space for deliberations and performances. Also we have added security to the space after its beautification to ensure there is no vandalism or misuse of any kind. I am open to traditional food stalls but they should adhere to the sanctity and hygiene of this space created” said TCP Minister and local MLA Vijai Sardessai.
Franky Cardozo remembered the Ana Fonte Garden where maintenance has been low and beer bottles and other garbage litter the space. This happens at the Margao Municipality garden and the Monte steps which was beautified in 2011, he hoped something similar would not happen at the Opinion Poll Square.
Coming back to the fact whether the success of the utilization of the square would mean a revival of tradition, culture and dance at the city of Margao or whether people would still travel to the Salcete coastline or North Goa for entertainment remains to be seen. Vinesh Iyer of the Live Music Project feels only time will tell and the he believes the selection of musical performances which bring out more senior citizens to sit and enjoy good music compared to the sweaty dances will be the key element to how the Opinion Poll Square sustains and becomes an option of entertainment for Margao city dwellers.
