PANJIM, DEC 23
Sunburn organisers today claimed to have got clearance from the Home Department to host the three-day event at Candolim beach scheduled to begin on December 27.
“We are told in principal that its fine…we understand to have got clearance from the Home Department but we are waiting for documents…It is progressing in right direction,” Managing Director Percept Shailendra Singh told Herald.
Earlier, the Sunburn organizers claimed that procedural delays marred the preparation for the event.
“We have already moved a proposal for permission with the Government. This is an event on annual calendar…While the event is scheduled in December, people started booking tickets from early January,” Vice Chairman and MD Percept Harindra Singh told reporters.
Singh was talking to reporters after meeting Chief Minister Digambar Kamat at the latter’s official residence to brief him about the event.
“During my meeting with the Chief Minister, I have told him about the issues in getting clearances. We are hoping to get approval from the Home Department soon,” he said.
The organizers say that the event would be tourism driver in the state. “The event is economic driver to Goa. If we multiply each person to the money it will spend during its stay in Goa and at the festival, the quantity of money flowing in the State will also increase,” he claimed.
He said that Goa has moved ahead in terms of conducting business. “I have been coming here for the last 25 years when Goa earned revenue only during the tourist season. But now, business between Christmas and New Year has mounted with lots of activities during the peak time,” he said. Claiming to be Asia’s biggest electronic music party, Sunburn which will be held between December 27 and 29 is expected to host some of the top names in the world of electronic music like Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten and Dave Seaman who will play the best music to keep the crowd on the move.
Replying to a question on whether B-town celebrity King Khan was invited for the festival, Singh said that a celebrity can buy a ticket to attend the party.
“I don’t know whether he is invited or not… he can buy a ticket and come for the event. People from across the globe have purchased tickets…people buy VVIP and VIP tickets,” he replied.
To another question on the guests list, Harindra said that the festival sponsors have invited some guests. “There is no guest list. Anyone can buy tickets and come…there are some guests from the sponsors,” he added.
Shah Rukh Khan along with his wife and children has made a gateway to Goa to celebrate Christmas and New Year. He is most likely to attend the Sunburn festival as well, according to Mumbai news reports.
Some other Bollywood celebrities like Hritik Roshan and his wife Suzzane, Arjun Rampal, Anil Kapoor and his family who have also planned their holiday in Goa may attend the entertainment festival.
Goa Tourism industry has extended its full support for the event saying that it will be a boost to tourism in the State.