Team Herald
PONDA: Despite the coronavirus (Covid-19) scare, the preparations for the Shigmo festival at Ponda are in full swing, even as the Velip community in Morpila celebrated the festival on Sunday.
After 30 citizens were tested positive for coronavirus, the Government of India alerted the States to adopt safety measures to prevent the spread of the virus. It advised the States to discourage the people from gathering in groups, lest they facilitate the spread of coronavirus.
The Union Health Ministry has even created a caller tune which urges the people to close their nose and mouth while coughing in public, wash their hands and avoid close contacts with people.
However, the preparations are in full swing for Shigmo parade in Ponda with the hope that the virus would not affect festival on Tuesday.
Ashok Naik, the president of Ponda Taluka Shigmo Samiti, prayed to Goddess Mahalsa and initiated the preparation work which includes putting up a stage, lighting, dias, dance and cultural prorgrammes for the float parade. Naik hopes that the festival would conclude smoothly.
Besides, Romtalmel artists are also practicing since past one month. Romtalmel is a special attraction at the festival; folk dance troops, too, are holding regular practices. The float preparations on various mythological scenes are also in full swing.
Some artists, on account of the code of conduct, even submitted a memorandum to government authorities with a request to extend time for Shigmo festival from 10 pm to 1 am.
Meanwhile, not willing to take chance, some people have purchased face masks to protect themselves from coronavirus. And several people have also downloaded the caller tune advising the public on preventing the spread of coronavirus.
However, a socials worker Viraj Sapre said that if the government feels that the risk of Covid 19 spread is high, it should cancel the Shigmo parades, in the public interest, where people gather in large numbers.
When pointed out that huge amount of money has been spent on preparations of floats by youth, he said, “Health is more important. If people live long, then, many such float parades can be held. If there is danger to health, then the government should not go for Shigmo parade to avoid spread of virus.”
Sapre fears that the mushrooming Gobi Manchurian shops are a source of health risk at the festival, which he alleged “are not bothered about the health of public.”
