MARGAO: Margao Municipal Council Councillor Vitorino Tavares on Monday raised questions as to why Ravindra Bhavan was opened for shooting for Maharashtra based shows and performers while the premises were shut for local performances such as tiatrs and nataks.
The Fatorda Forward councillor questioned why COVID-19 protocols applied only to the locals, and Goans were not even permitted entry into Ravindra Bhavan.
As a tiatr artiste himself, Tavares said, “I too would have loved to perform here, but by restricting Goans from entry in the name of COVID-19 and allowing outsiders, the government and the authorities have once again proven beyond all doubt that they are anti-Goan.”
He pointed out that it has been one week since Ravindra Bhavan was declared a COVID-19 testing centre, but because of the shooting, the people have not been able to get their RT-PCR tests done.
Tavares pressed, “Why is the government saying one thing and doing something else, and how does it plan to solve the issue of rising cases if it doesn’t allow tests to be conducted properly?”
Earlier, Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai had ordered an immediate shut down of Ravindra Bhavan in the midst of a shooting, as the artistes and crew were maskless and not following social distancing norm within the premises. Sardesai, along with the MMC councillors hit out against the organisers and the State government for granting permission for shooting, which potentially increased cases in the area.
Vijai said, “This government is so careless; even as Goenkars suffer, the Chief Minister is only adding fuel to the fire.”
Tavares urged all Goan artistes to unite and come together during these difficult times to help Goans, who are suffering.
He said, “Now is not the time to have entertainment programmes and film shootings. Goa is going through a difficult period.”
“In Fatorda we want to keep our people safe, and we want to support our local artistes. We don’t want outsiders to come and misuse our premises for the sake of profit.” Tavares added.
Tavares highlighted that under the leadership of Goa Forward Party President Vijai Sardesai, he and the Fatorda councillors are determined to support local talent and raise awareness for Goan art forms when the time is right.
He said, “We want our children to develop and share our talent. We are a talented group of people and we will do all we can to support them. We hope this situation would settle soon, so that we can go back to our true, cultural, Goenkar ways.”
