PANJIM: No Narkasur effigy will be burnt at public places in the State’s capital owing to the ongoing pandemic. The height of the Narkasur effigy should also not be more than 8 feet and neither it should have fireworks filled in, says the Corporation of the City of Panaji as it issued standard operating procedure (SOP) ahead of the Diwali festival slated next month.
City Mayor Uday Madkaikar said the SOP should be followed on the eve of Diwali — which marks the burning of Narkasur effigy to display victory of good over evil — in a bid to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“The height of the Narkasur effigy shall be of 8 feet only. No fireworks shall be used at the site of installation of Narkasur effigy on November 13 and early morning of November 14,” the SOP states.
“There shall be no procession of Narkasur effigy on the eve of Diwali and no person or club or any organisation shall install the effigy on the road. No person or club or any organisation shall set on fire the Narkasur effigy on the road,” it further said.
The CCP has also imposed a ban on the use of DJ/amplifier/amplified sound system within the jurisdiction of CCP during this period. Similarly, no entertainment programmes, competitions and other such events will be held on November 13.
All health safety protocols such as social distancing, wearing of face covers, use of hand sanitisers/and wash will be followed all through the celebration. The SOP also bars large gathering at the site of Narkasur effigy.
“For Diwali celebration, as far as possible home visits to friends and neighbours may be avoided and instead greetings on social media or telephones may be adopted,” Madkaikar suggested.
