VASCO, MARCH 7
The port town revelled to the music of Carnival on Monday evening, as thousands of people converged at Vasco to be part of the Carnival parade.
In an unprecedented turnout, the long stretch of Sawtantra path from Hiralal Junction to Railway station circle was converted into a sea of humanity with revelry, dance and music taking centre stage for about two-and-half hours.
Vasco Carnival Committee Chairman and Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza, Flag Officer of Goa Naval Area Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, Sare Gama fame Sumedha and Konkani nightingale Lorna flagged off the float parade, while Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhary scheduled to be present for the float parade was missing from the gala.
Revenue Minister D’Souza walked along with star attraction Sumedha and Konkani nightingale Lorna.
Over 50 floats in various categories including traditional, club and institutional, family, clowns/jokers and sponsored competed for top honours.
Of these 50, floats in the traditional category and two floats in the sponsored category stole the limelight.
Though overall the float parade was impressive, reservations have been raised in some quarters over their quality.
The Indian Navy Band and African dancer also enthralled the crowd.
SP South Allen D’Sa along with Vasco DySP Mahesh Gaonkar deployed large police team from Mormugao and Verna to maintain law and order during the parade, but at few places police had a tough time to keep the surging crowds.
