Team Herald
Vasco: Chicalim Bio-Crusaders have come up with a unique contest titled ‘Parkonnim’ which is considered a heritage event. The contest titled ‘Chicalim Bio-Crusaders Heritage Competition’ is being held in memory of late C. G. Varkey.
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An active village member of Chicalim and Human Rights activist, Cyril Fernandes informed that the Bio-Crusaders have been posting Konkani ‘Parkonnims’ on various social media groups and challenging the respective social media members to provide answers to the ‘Parkonnim’. The contest has caught the fancy of many traditional Goans all over.
Giving details of ‘Parkonnim’, Cyril said that ‘Parkonnim’ is a Konkani word which in English translates as ‘Riddle’. Before the advent of radio and television as a means of entertainment, ‘Parkonnim’ was one of the pass-time entertainment in the village ‘Maand’ or the ‘Balcao’.
“The elderly would challenge the youngsters with these ‘Parkonnim’, testing the analytical ability of the family members, neighbours or community members. However, today, these ‘Parkonnims’ have been forgotten and hardly recollected or used as a pastime,” he said.
The winner of the competition will walk away with a cash prize of Rs 5000 along with a rolling trophy named after Late C. G. Varkey. The trophy and the cash prize has been offered by George Varkey as a tribute to his father. George said, “His father used to pose such riddles to him during his childhood. Now, seeing these ‘Parkonnims’ posted on one such group where George is a member, it made him nostalgic about his childhood days and so he offered to promote this unique contest in Goa as an annual event”.
The Chicalim Bio-crusaders video records each ‘PARKONNIM’ through their members or guests and then post it on the social media groups with the poser “Kitem Tem Sang” meaning “Guess the answer”. All answers received are then saved. Once the contest is over, the person who has answered the most ‘Parkonnims’ will be declared the winner.
This revival of posing ‘Parkonnim’ was initially started as a fun activity by Cyril A. Fernandes. But it was promoted into a contest by Eco-Warrior and activist Dr Fr Bolmax Pereira.
“Dr Pereira converted this into a viral contest attracting both the young and old Goans from far and near. Till date 36 Konkani ‘Parkonnims’ have been posted. The contest will end with 50 Parkonnims,” Cyril said.
They intend to post all the ‘Parkonnims’ on the SFXchicalim.org website where it will be accessible to all Goans globally and everyone will get a chance to take a shot at the ‘Parkonnims’ and stand a chance to win the contest.
The Chicalim Bio-Crusaders have received huge accolades for coming up with the brilliant idea to promote Chicalim’s and Goa’s heritage through innovative means.
