PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Governor Mridula Sinha have conveyed her heartiest greetings and good wishes to the people of Goa on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has wished fellow Goans a very peaceful and prosperous Ganesh festival as this festival brings inner joy and contentment to every family.
Describing lord Ganesha as epitome of wisdom, bliss and prosperity, Sawant said, “This wonderful festival has significance towards strengthening social fabric of the State, which prevails in our communal harmony, tolerance and peaceful life style.”
“Lord Ganesha is harbinger of happiness and dispeller of distress also known as `Sukh Karta and Dukh Harta`. I pray that this festival brings happiness and bless every citizen to make our State free from all kinds of social evil and other obstacles,” he added.
The Governor says Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most resplendent festivals celebrated with the same fervour all over India. Lord Ganesh is a symbol of piety dedication, loyalty and protection. Ganesh is believed to be the Lord of success, who blesses his followers with their desired achievements by removing the obstacles of their paths. Hence, ‘Vignaharta’ is one of the popular names of Ganesh, which means ‘demolisher of obstacles’.
The Governor says Bal Gangadhar Tilak, ‘The Father of Indian Unrest’ as described by the British, was the man behind turning a private, household Ganesh Chaturthi celebration to a gala event. He saw the need to unite Indians more and realised nothing can bond people more than a common idol, equally worshipped by all. Tilak noticed that Lord Ganesh was considered “the God for everyman”, that Ganesh was worshipped by the members belonging to the upper castes and lower castes alike, leaders and followers alike.
He popularised Ganesh Chaturthi as a national festival ‘to bridge the gap between the social differences in the society. In 1893, Tilak organised Ganesh Utsav as a social and religious function. It was he who put large hoarding with images of Lord Ganesh in pavilions and the man behind the tradition of immersion of huge Ganesh statues on the tenth day of the festival. The festival served as a meeting place for common people of all castes and communities.
“Hence, let us on this occasion, dedicate ourselves in the name of Lord Ganesh, to live in amity, brotherhood and mutual understand. May this occasion bring renewed peace, happiness and prosperity to everyone,” the Governor concluded.
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition, Digambar Kamat says, “Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the major festivals, which is celebrated in the State with great enthusiasm. I wish all Goans a Happy Ganesh Chaturthi. Let happiness and prosperity fill life and homes of Goans during this festival”.
