Parrikar pumps up the Sao Joao party at Benaulim
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Making an impression in minority-dominated Benaulim, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar ushered in the Sao Joao festivities in the State as he participated in the festival on Sunday.
The Chief Minister arrived at the Benaulim fisheries complex to a grand welcome by a traditional brass band and joined the festivities “Ohhh Reee Sao Joao” organised by Benaulim Sports and Cultural Club along with his ministerial colleague Fisheries Minister Avertano Furtado and MLAs Caitu Silva and Benjamin Silva.
“I wish you all happy Sao Joao festival. Let there be a greater celebration on this very same venue next year,” Parrikar said amidst thunderous applause from the Sao Joao revellers.
He mingled with the enthusiasts and listed with rapt attention as Goa’s nightingale Lorna belted some of the popular Konkani songs. “Let us all keep and protect Goa for Goans. There’s an impression created by the media that people from Salcete are tough. But, they are kind-hearted people,” he said.
The Benaulim fisheries complex which played host to the now defunct pilot prawn hatchery since 1991 came alive as Sao Joao revellers jumped in the water tanks, which were once used to produce prawn seeds, to mark the Sao Joao festivities.
Sao Joao festivities also reverberated at the Baywatch hotel, Sernabatim-Colva. Dr Sydney Moraes said this is the sixth year that Baywatch is hosting the festivities in the hotel. “We ensure that the Sao Joao in our hotel is hosted in its traditional way,” he added.
