Team Herald
PANJIM: The 29th Shigmotsav celebrations in Panjim will commence with the annual traditional romtamel parade from Mahalaxmi Temple followed by Gulalotsav at Azad Maidan on Monday, March 13.
The seven day celebrations will host the Shobha Yatra more popularly known as the float parade on the sixth day, Saturday March 18.
Speaking to the media, president of the Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti and Commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panaji, Dipak Desai said the committee is working towards ensuring that the float parade culminates at the Azad Maidan by 9.30 pm.
“The last date for receiving entries is March 17 till 11 am. However, the Committee reserves the right to allow entries after this cut-off time. So far we have received six entries. This time we want to ensure that the float parade culminates by 10 pm,” he stated.
He said that this year there would be no prize distribution after the float parade so as to avoid delaying the artists participating in the parade.
The parade with romtamel, folk art groups, fancy dress participants and followed by floats on various mythological themes will begin moving 4.30 in the evening from the Caculo Island to the Azad Maidan through the 18th June Road.
However, a screening committee will inspect the floats to ensure that the vehicles participating in the parade adhere to the norms and are safe for movement during the parade. Additionally, there would also be a negative marking system.
Stating that the committee has decide to make minor changes in the route of the float parade, Dy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dharmesh Angle said the parade which will begin near Caculo Island will take the 18th June Road and from Café Aram, will move towards Azad Maidan instead of the earlier route which would proceed ahead and take left after the circle.
He further said that the police will begin to clear the 18th June road of traffic by noon.
“We will start clearing all parked vehicles along the parade route. They will be towed to the nearby roads and parked. We appeal to people not to park any vehicles along this route”, he added.
Apart from this, a Konkani drama ‘Partun Firangi Pahatas’ and Marathi drama ‘Paul Padte Pudhe’ will be staged on Thursday and Friday respectively. On the seventh day, a lavni ‘Naar Mi Gulzar’ will be performed by Devyani Chandgadkar and group from Mumbai.
