Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa will celebrate Shigmotsav between March 21 and April 5, with Ponda town organising the Shigmo parades on the first day followed by other towns and villages. Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar made an early announcement of the commencement of the annual festivity in a bid to encourage tourist footfalls during this period.
The dates for the float parades in other places are Dharbandora – March 22, Panjim – March 23, Mapusa – March 24, Pernem – March 25, Bicholim – March 26, Sanquelim – March 27, Valpoi – March 28, Vasco – March 29, Quepem – March 30, Margao – March 31, Curchorem – April 1, Sanguem – April 3, Cuncolim – April 4 and Canacona – April 5.
The dates were finalized in a meeting of all the concerned including Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar, who along with Quepem Municipal Council Chairperson Dayesh Naik demanded that Shigmo parade in the town be entrusted to the municipality rather than any other committee. Kavlekar warned to take stern steps if the demand is not heeded to.
In the very month when the Shigmo commences, the Tourism Department will also be hosting Carnival. The Carnival float parade will commence from the capital city on March 2, followed by Margao on March 3, Vasco and Ponda on March 4 while the parade will shift to Mapusa, Morjim and Curchorem on March 5.
Earlier in the month, the Minister had announced the Carnival dates too, well in advance to increase the flow of tourists to Goa.
“Due to some reasons, the tourism has dropped and by promoting Carnival, let us encourage more and more visitors to Goa. We need business and revenue, and as such, we need to focus on tourism. Want to promote Carnival across the world and to increase arrivals into Goa. Our aim is to display Goa’s sankruti – culture and Goenkarponn. During the festivity period which will last for 3-4 days, let people eat, drink and make merry but by maintaining Goa’s culture,” Azgaonkar had said.
