Team Herald
PANJIM: Blame it on the Smart City works. This year there is a change in the route of Shigmotsav parade in the state’s capital. The parade will be held on D B Road, instead of the traditional route on 18th June Road.
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The city residents will witness the vibrant colours and music, as the Shigmotsav festivities will begin with Gulalotsav at Azad Maidan on March 14, followed by a grand parade on March 22, and a 5-day entertainment programme at Azad Maidan from March 19 to 23.
Addressing a press conference, Shrinivas Dempo, President of Panjim Shigmotsav Samiti said this year, the Shigmotsav parade will be held on D B Road, instead of the traditional route on 18th June Road due to Smart City works.
“We are changing the route as we do not have an option. We have been told by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) also the shift to route from Old Secretariat to Campal. It will be the route which was used for the Carnival parade,” he said.
However, he requested CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate to ensure that the traditional route is made available for Shigmotsav next year.
CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate said that there will be a five-day long programme at Azad Maidan as hosted last year.
He said D B Road is the best option to hold Shigmotsav as Smart City works are underway in the city.
Dempo said, “Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti has been organising Shigmotsav for the last 37 years with an aim to showcase the art and culture of rural parts of the State. Panaji Shigmotsav Samiti is the first Samiti in the State which has made such efforts. It feels very good to see that now almost in all parts of the State Shigmotsav is held. Gulalotsav will be celebrated on March 14, 2025, and I call upon people of the State to participate in it.”
He said on March 19 there will be an orchestra, while on March 20 a drama will be staged followed by a religious song programme on March 21.
Stating that Lavni will be held on March 23, Dempo said three artists namely Santosh Gaokar, Mahadev Datta Naik and Avito Fernandes will be felicitated on the same.
He said three rolling trophies will be awarded on the occasion. The rolling trophies are Chitrapat Category, instituted by Mangaldas Naik, in memory of his mother late Srimati Putu Naik, Romtamel, a category instituted by Kishor Narvekar, in memory of his brother late Krishna V Narvekar and Folk Dance Category, instituted by Sunil Naik, in memory of his father Late Anant B Naik and mother late Sushilabai A Naik.
